Message from the Director
The Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC) at Colorado State University is a dynamic, rapidly growing complex of buildings designed and operated at a truly state-of-the-art level. The focus of these facilities is on infectious disease research designated as BSL-3, the next-to-the-highest classification of agents based on risk. The Center consists of five inter-connected buildings that share common corridors, delivery docks, and personnel entrances. The Center currently consists of nearly 50,000 square feet of BSL-2 and BSL-3 space, and cost nearly $50,000,000 to construct. Construction has recently started to expand the Center by an additional 60,000 square feet of BSL-2 research space, which will bring the total space capacity of the Center to over 100,000 square feet. The new construction will be completed in 2010.
Special features of the Center are a GMP Manufacturing Laboratory, a Proteomics-Genomics Laboratory, and an Animal Models Core. The Center houses the Rocky Mountain Regional Biocontainment Laboratory. Members of the Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases are the largest group of researchers active in the Center. Most of the laboratories in the Center are certified by the Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Agriculture for work with select agents; bacterial or viral diseases identified as potential biological weapons. The mission of the Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence is to do basic research on potential biological weapons, and engage in the development of better vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for these select agents. The IDRC is dedicated to assist in every way possible in the fulfillment of the mission of the Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence. Furthermore, the goal of the IDRC is to provide an opportunity for academic, government, and private sector researchers to engage in cutting-edge research with infectious disease agents.
You are encouraged to use this web site to explore our programs and people, and please do not hesitate to call, write, or e-mail us.
Ralph E. Smith, Ph.D.
(970)491-8382
Ralph.Smith@colostate.edu