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K-State's Biosecurity Institute Opens This Month
Posted: 10:23 a.m. 10/19/07
New $50 million dollar lab will be the only full size agricultural and biosecurity lab in the world. |
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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) _ Pat Roberts Hall, home of the new $50-million Biosecurity Research Institute, opens this month at Kansas State University.
It's the only full-size, agricultural and food safety biosecurity laboratory in the world.
Researchers there are led by Randy Phebus, a food microbiologist and professor of food safety and security at K-State. They'll study pathogens that are considered possible terrorist weapons, including anthrax, and staphylococcus and botulinum toxins.
The lab has a live animal holding area, a slaughter floor, meat processing equipment and can even decontaminate an airplane cabin.
The lab is Biosafety Level 3, the second-highest lab security level. It's assigned to labs that use toxic agents that may cause serious disease if inhaled.

