What are the benefits to local communities of having the Ricketts Laboratory located nearby?
The Regional Biodefense Laboratories will be centers of research on infectious diseases, targeting both those that might occur naturally and those spread by bioterrorists. In addition to being part of the national biodefense initiative of the National Institutes of Health, it will be a local resource for training first responders and in case of a disease outbreak in the area. In case of an outbreak, it would be used to identify pathogens and as a source of information for the public. The initiative, itself, is intended in part, to improve state and local health systems and their ability to cooperate with the federal government in response to a biodefense emergency. The University of Chicago’s proposal specified educating key public officials and first-line responders, as well as pledging to halt ongoing research work to assist in the event of serious regional or national needs. The plans include direct relationships with state offices and laboratories of public health as well as hospit
The Regional Biodefense Laboratories will be centers of research on infectious diseases, targeting both those that might occur naturally and those spread by bioterrorists. In addition to being part of the national biodefense initiative of the National Institutes of Health, it will be a local resource for training first responders and in case of a disease outbreak in the area. In case of an outbreak, it would be used to identify pathogens and as a source of information for the public. The initiative, itself, is intended in part, to improve state and local health systems and their ability to cooperate with the federal government in response to a biodefense emergency. The University of Chicago’s proposal specified educating key public officials and first-line responders, as well as pledging to halt ongoing research work to assist in the event of serious regional or national needs. The plans include direct relationships with state offices and laboratories of public health as well as hospit
