The Naval Medical Research & Development’s Newsletter reports that a new laboratory is being built to house the Navy Medical Research Center’s Biological Defense Research Directorate (BDRD) at Ft Detrick. When completed BDRD’s 36,660 square-foot biomedical research laboratory will be part of the National Interagency Biodefense Campus expected to be ready in the fall.
The Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) scientists will join research teams from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USDA, Department of Homeland Security, and CDC.
For nearly 15 years, BDRD has researched ways to protect military personnel in the event of a biological attack and is considered to be a leader in the field of detection. This includes research on hand-held assays, molecular diagnostics, and performing confirmatory analysis. More recently, the research team has developed a new DNA-based vaccine to protect against anthrax.
The second building under construction at FT Detrick will house the Joint Center for Excellence for Medical Research, Development, and Acquisition to include office space for 16 Navy Medicine personnel. The building will house the Chemical Biological Defense’s, Joint Project for Chemical Biological Medical Systems.
