Welcome to the Aerobiology Core Division
Aerobiology Core
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, Texas 77555
Email: wslawren@utmb.edu
For aerosol inquiries, please send us an email to the address listed here on this page. Inquiries will receive a response within 48-72 business hours.
Galveston National Laboratory related inquiries, please call (409) 266-6500 or email cjholuba@utmb.edu.
The Aerobiology Core Division at the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) is located on the main campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. The GNL houses internationally renowned researchers dedicated to studying emerging and re-emerging pathogens requiring Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) containment due to their significant threat to public health worldwide.
The Aerobiology Core Division provides state-of-the-art aerosol science facilities and inhalational exposure services for animal models and test devices. We provide vital support to industry, government, and academic researchers who are dedicated to developing, testing, and evaluating therapeutics, vaccines, and devices against aerosolized infectious agents, including Select Agents. This work requires the highest levels of biocontainment (BSL-3 and BSL-4), ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
The threat of aerosol dissemination of biological agents, capable of exposing vast numbers of civilians and military personnel, is a significant concern. Therefore, the aerobiology capabilities at the GNL are indispensable for the safe development of new biodefense products and the efficacy testing of therapeutics, vaccines, and devices. This research is important for their eventual review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge research with practical defense applications, the Aerobiology Core Facility is instrumental in bolstering both national and global biosecurity.
Mission
The Aerobiology Core Division at the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) is dedicated to excellence in the science of aerobiology, aiming to combat emerging and re-emerging diseases that threaten global public health. Aligned with the GNL's mission to address infectious diseases, the Aerobiology Core focuses on offering value-added services to studying airborne pathogens, helping to provide critical insights and innovations in their prevention and treatment.
Our mission is multifaceted: to support the development, assessment, and/or advancement of therapeutics, vaccines, and novel technologies against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. We achieve this through safely leveraging our aerosol capabilities within ABSL-3 and BSL-4 environments, and by striving to provide comprehensive aerobiology services that ensure the integrity of each aerosol while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
Equipped with a wide selection of aerosol technologies and methodologies, our aerosol facilities enable us to securely conduct controlled exposure studies, using a range of animal models or novel test devices and technologies. Our collaborative efforts extend to national agencies such as NIAID, BARDA, DTRA, DoD, and include numerous collaborations with biomedical research and pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic institutions. These partnerships highlight the critical role of aerosol sciences in advancing global health security.
Capabilities
- Animal model development for various infectious agents
- Drug efficacy studies
- Immunogenicity testing
- LD50 determinations
- Vaccine efficacy testing
- Quality control testing
- Regulatory support for FDA
- Submissions
Services for studies initiated in facility
- Fully trained personnel
- Standardized SOPs
- Forms and checklist documentation that is quality controlled and approved deviation reporting
- Data security
- Equipment qualification, preventative maintenance, calibration and performance verification
- Protocol approval
- Interim and final reporting
- Document control
- Environmental monitoring