ABOUT COVID-19

UTMB has launched a website dedicated to providing information to Patients, Students, Staff
and the General Public about the current coronavirus pandemic.

To be taken to that website, click here.

Welcome to the Galveston National Lab

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The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) is a sophisticated high containment research facility that serves as a critically important resource in the global fight against infectious diseases. The GNL is located on the campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch and operates under the umbrella of UTMB’s Institute for Human Infections and Immunity.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) provides funding for the BSL4 laboratories and operations at the GNL, and the lab’s top priority is research to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines to combat the most dangerous diseases in the world.

Researchers at the GNL are internationally known for their expertise working with pathogens including Ebola and Marburg, emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19 and MERS, and mosquito borne viruses like Zika and Chikungunya. Research also focuses on understanding transmission and pathogenesis of emerging viruses and developing medical countermeasures for dangerous pathogens that can be weaponized.

The Galveston National Laboratory is home to research that is funded by NIAID, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and other federal agencies, as well as academic partners, private foundations, and the Biopharmaceutical industry.

The GNL and Covid-19 Research

For more than 100 years, researchers at UTMB have been breaking ground studying new and emerging viruses.

Prior to Covid-19, UTMB already had three highly respected coronavirus researchers on staff.  This helped our teams get a jump start on the development of diagnostics, anti-viral treatments and vaccines. UTMB researchers have been involved with both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as several monoclonal antibody treatments and other therapies.  In addition, when troubles arose with the early diagnostic tests, UTMB developed its own and began assisting the State of Texas with Covid tests for patients in nearly every county of the state.

More than a year into the pandemic, UTMB has initiated and successfully delivered on a vigorous vaccination program in line with state and CDC guidelines. Our physicians have learned much about treating patients, and our faculty continues to be involved at the epicenter of all the important medical research.

Since the first discovery of this new virus, UTMB research scientists have:

  • Received more than $45 million in funded research for Covid-19
  • Completed hundreds of important studies safely in our high containment facilities
  • Published important studies and novel research on the disease transmission, pathogenesis, prevention and treatments

Media Inquiries:For media inquiries, contact UTMB Media Relations.Their 24 hour hotline is (409) 772-6397.