Posted on: Friday, December 24, 2004

UH seeking $25M grant for bio-containment lab

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

To help boost the state's preparedness to respond to a bioterrorism threat, University of Hawai'i administrators have announced plans to apply for a $25 million federal grant to help pay for and build a new state-of-the-art Level 3 Regional Bio-containment Laboratory by 2010.

"Scientists at the University of Hawai'i are already conducting impressive and significant research relating to bioterrorism, environmental health and safety, and infectious diseases," said Jim Gaines, UH interim vice president for research.

If the award is granted by the National Institutes of Health — a decision is expected by next October — Gaines said the laboratory "will provide a considerable boost in the state's bioterrorism and other health emergency preparedness efforts."

Earlier this month a report released by the nonprofit Trust for America's Health called Hawai'i one of 20 states that do not meet national standards of preparedness to respond to bioterrorism attacks or other health emergencies.

If the grant is approved, a laboratory would be built next to a state Department of Health facility in 'Aiea, offering additional support to expand and improve the space and technology needed for experiments and examinations. Currently samples are sent to the Mainland for testing.

There are no level 3 Regional Bio-containment Labs on the West Coast, and a new facility in Hawai'i could serve that region as well as Hawai'i and the Pacific.

UH is collaborating with several state departments, including the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Department of Health, as well as private ventures such as Enterprise Hono-lulu and Hawai'i Biotech, and federal agencies such as Tripler Army Medical Center and the U.S. Pacific Command.

Additionally, it's working with the Economic Development Alliance.

"This facility would be a cornerstone in Hawai'i's infrastructure to serve our existing, expanding industry as well as attract new ventures to Hawai'i," said Ted Liu, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

"We foresee the Regional Bio-containment Laboratory as the first step in developing a new life sciences mini-cluster in 'Aiea."

Liu noted that a new lab would boost the state's economy and the life, health and medical sciences industries.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.