GLRCE Cognitive and Practical Biosafety Education for the Host-Pathogen Investigator.

The Great Lakes Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research (GLRCE) is a consortium of academic and research institutions in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and is administered by its Administrative Core at the University of Chicago. The GLRCE is committed to funding development of new vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to counteract diseases caused by bio-threat and emerging infectious disease agents via the combined research excellence of inter-disciplinary scientists in the Great Lakes region. As such, the GLRCE is committed to providing training and education to scientists involved with or interested in pursuing investigations supported by this research agenda.

Biosafety Education for the Research Scientist provides such training. The course is appropriate for microbiologists, infectious diseases clinicians, as well as researchers from other disciplines. It is also recommended for individuals involved with biodefense or emerging infectious diseases research in academic, government, and industrial settings. The 3.5 day interactive curriculum at the University of Chicago is designed to train researchers in the latest biosafety principles and practices. Topics include:

• General Principles: Security issues, exposure sources and routes of infection, and risk assessment. Principles of Biohazard Containment: Safety levels, exposure protocols, biohazard shipping, and facility maintenance procedures.
• Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Safe handling of pathogens and infected animals.