ABOUT COVID-19

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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.

Hurricane Season 2020

NOTE: For media inquiries during storm season or any time, contact UTMB Media Relations.Their 24 hour hotline is (409) 772-6397.

Because tropical storms and hurricanes can be annual events, prior to peak hurricane season (mid-August through September in the Gulf), investigators working in the national lab complete product development and preclinical studies and do not initiate any new long term studies that might risk interruption due to approaching storms.

The Galveston National Laboratory was built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.  Detailed hurricane preparedness and emergency plans are in place and the team from the GNL works with UTMB Incident Command to ensure the security of the facility during adverse weather conditions.  The lab has redundant back-up power generators onsite and in the event of a storm a stay team of scientists, engineers, animal care and maintenance personnel remain in the facility.

See also: Frequently Asked Questions