The Middle Atlantic Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (MARCE)

The Middle Atlantic Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (MARCE) consortium fosters research that contributes to the defense of the population of the United States of America against biological threats including the deliberate release of bioterror agents and the natural emergence or re-emergence of infectious diseases. As part of its formally defined mission, the MARCE also maintains interactions with public health authorities within the Middle Atlantic Region so that if the need arises, the consortium can mobilize its technical resources to assist the region’s public health authorities in the face of a large or unusual outbreak of disease, presumed bioterror incident or other catastrophe.

The MARCE consortium that is proposed for the funding cycle of 2009-2014 (MARCE-2) encompasses approximately 46 scientists from 16 funded research institutions who will engage in a series of collaborative research projects (See “Research”). Dr. Myron M. Levine, M.D., D.T.P.H., the Grollman Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Vaccine Development of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will continue to serve as the Principal Investigator and Director of the MARCE. Dr. Alison O’Brien, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, will continue to serve as Co-Principal Investigator.

This organization is recognized as one of the Regional Centers of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEs) by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Website:
http://marce.vbi.vt.edu/
Phone:
(540) 231-2100
Address:
University of Maryland, Baltimore | 685 W. Baltimore St., HSF-I Room 480 | Baltimore, MD 21201 USA

The National Academies

“The National Academies perform an unparalleled public service by bringing together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts serve pro bono to address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public.” The National Academies believe that “while advanced technology often is used as an instrument of terrorism, technological tools can also be a vital source of prevention and deterrence of, and defense against, acts and agents of terrorism. In that spirit, the National Academies are engaged in a broad array of studies and other activities to aid the Nation’s response to the threat of bio-terrorism.”

Website:
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/Biosecurity/
Address:
500 Fifth St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 USA

The National Biocontainment Training Center

The National Biocontainment Training Center prepares infectious disease scientists to work safely in high and maximum-containment environments. Through extensive one-on-one, customized didactic training, practical demonstration and mentored experience in the lab environment, the University of Texas Medical Branch Laboratory Biosafety Training Program provides laboratory and support staff training in BSL2 to 4 laboratory biosafety. The NBTC also offers parallel fellowship tracks for scientists and biocontainment engineers, affording individuals the unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience working in BSL3 and BSL4 laboratory environments.

Website:
http://www.utmb.edu/nbtc
Phone:
(409) 266-6500
Address:
301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0610, USA

The Royal Society

The Royal Society is the UK’s leading independent scientific body. As well as providing an authoritative voice and leadership for UK science, it provide objective advice for government and policymakers on science, its relationship with society and science education. The Royal Society is well placed to tackle concerns relating to international security as these issues often cover a wide range of scientific disciplines. The Society has held meetings with scientists from overseas, discussed issues with policy makers, initiated studies and produced a number of reports. It has done extensive work on reducing the threats from biological weapons and the misuse of scientific research.   Read More »

Website:
http://royalsociety.org/
Phone:
+44 (0)20 7451 2500
Address:
Carlton House Terrace | 6-9 Carlton House Terrace | London SW1Y 5AG

The Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada is the senior national body of distinguished Canadian scientists and scholars. Its primary objective is to promote learning and research in the arts and sciences through education, outreach, and cooperative programs.

Website:
http://www.rsc.ca/
Phone:
+1 (613) 991-6990
Address:
170 Waller Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9B9, Canada