BSL-3+ LAB 
Enabling Preparedness, Research, & Training for Emerging Viral Threats

“Built for the next threat - equipped to respond."

CATEGORY

High-Containment Laboratory • Viral Pathogen Research • Biosecurity & Public Health Defense

OPERATIONAL RELEVANCE

Emerging and re-emerging pathogens present ongoing threats to global health and national security. LSU Health Shreveport’s new BSL-3+ facility enables rapid response research, workforce training, and diagnostic readiness for high-risk viruses. The facility is one of only 20 BSL-3+ laboratories in North America. It is the first of its scale in North Louisiana and strategically positioned to support national biodefense and public health efforts. 

FACILITY SUMMARY

Housed within the new Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT), this 11,780-square-foot facility 
includes: 

• A state-of-the-art _3000 sq ft BSL-3+ laboratory with enhanced containment and decontamination systems 
  • Effluent Decontamination System sterilizes wastewater with pressure and heat 
    • Three 500 gal “kill” tanks provide redundancy 
  • Four in vitro labs, 4 animal procedure rooms and 4 animal holding rooms allows for agent specific work per room. 
  • Eleven Biosafety cabinets are available for in vitro and in vivo work 
  • AERO3G inhalation system housed in a Class III glove box provides a safe and effective method for aerosol challenge models 
  • IVIS Spectrum CT 2 Imaging System for live in vivo imaging 
• A ~ 8000 sq ft BSL-2 support lab for preparatory and complementary work 
• Molecular diagnostics capabilities for respiratory and vector-borne viruses 
  • Six Opus Real-Time PCR Systems 
• Training and educational infrastructure for medical students, scientists, and federal partners 
  • A 780 sq ft training laboratory with biosafety cabinet and mock locker room for PPE donning and doffing training and assessment 
• Direct alignment with NDMS preparedness priorities and military-civilian response protocols

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES

• First BSL-3+ lab of its kind in North Louisiana 
• Expertise in hemorrhagic fever viruses, encephalitic alphaviruses, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Equipped for high-consequence pathogen work (airborne, vector-borne) 
• Built-in infrastructure for surge response, diagnostics, and training 
• Supports collaborations with NIH, DoD, BARDA, and public health agencies 
• Located near Barksdale AFB and Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 
• Part of an NDMS-designated academic medical center

USE SCENARIOS

• Pandemic preparedness and emerging pathogen response
• Preclinical testing and molecular diagnostic validation
• Field training for biosafety and containment protocols
• Academic and DoD infectious disease collaboration
• Workforce development for high-containment lab readiness

TECHNOLOGY READINESS & ACCESS

• Facility launch in 2025
• BSL-3+ capabilities

COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking partners to:

• Conduct high-containment viral research
• Host joint training for military/public health response
• Expand regional biodefense and diagnostic capacity
• Leverage BSL-2/BSL-3 workflows for translational research