World's most bio-secure lab opens for business

The world’s most advanced bio-secure laboratory, the AAHL Collaborative Biosecurity Research Facility (ACBRF), was officially opened at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong by the Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr.

Senator Carr said the ACBRF allows researchers from across Australia and overseas to work together on projects of national importance, using the highest levels of biological containment.

“Facilities like the ACBRF increase our ability to deal quickly and effectively with emerging diseases which could harm people, animals and crops both in Australia and overseas.

“These threats have economic, environmental and social consequences on agricultural productivity, food security, animal and human health and biodiversity,” he said.

The centre was built with the aid of $8.5 million in federal funding, through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

Member for Corio Richard Marles said it was a significant day for Geelong.

"This facility cements our city's position on the frontline of the global battle against bio-security threats,” said Marles. “Unlocking the mysteries of new and emerging diseases is critical to our survival as an international community - that is the work being undertaken by scientists here at AAHL.”

According to AAHL Director Professor Martyn Jeggo, in addition to identifying and characterising viruses, the new facility will be used to investigate the origin and treatment of animal and ‘zoonotic’ diseases - that is, diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals.

“There is an urgent need to move forward with a collaborative effort, commonly referred to as a ‘One Health’ approach, which links human, animal and environmental health professionals together,” Professor Jeggo said.

“The One Health approach is becoming crucial with about 70% of emerging diseases affecting humans originating in animals - including Hendra, bird flu and SARS.”

The ACBRF is located within AAHL’s high containment facility and incorporates a linked Australian microscopy and microanalysis research facility. This facility enables fundamental research with infectious disease agents that require the highest levels of biocontainment.

AAHL has developed a significant international reputation as one of the world’s finest animal bioscience research laboratories and is the most sophisticated laboratory in the world for the safe handling and containment of infectious micro-organisms.
 
The additional high containment laboratory facility at AAHL will provide the necessary bio-secure and bio-safe infrastructure required to undertake vital research to effectively tackle increasing biosecurity threats - in Australia and around the world.

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