Representatives of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will make a July 17 visit to the University of California, Davis, to further discuss the campus's proposal to build a national biocontainment laboratory, campus officials have learned.

Notification of the site visit follows completion of the scientific review of proposals submitted in February to NIH by UC Davis and at least six other institutions for funding to build a laboratory facility specifically designed for research and diagnosis of some of the most serious infectious diseases.

"The selection of UC Davis for a site visit is great recognition of the expertise and commitment of the university and our partners," said Virginia Hinshaw, provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Davis. "We certainly welcome this opportunity to address the public health needs of this region and the world. The proposed facility will generate research advances that will enhance the health, safety and well-being of our children and grandchildren. Our efforts are directed at ensuring a better future for them."

Under the leadership of Fred Murphy, dean emeritus of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the scientific director on the laboratory proposal, the campus has begun to make plans for the one-day site visit.

In a May letter, NIH advised applicants for the national biocontainment laboratory funding that it would make site visits on the most highly ranked proposals. During those visits NIH representatives have indicated they will meet only with key faculty members, administrators and staff involved with the construction, maintenance and operation of the proposed facility. Topics of discussion will include financial and management issues, design and engineering, and community relations.

Although NIH representatives indicate they will not meet with community members during their visit to UC Davis, they will review documents from local government officials and agencies that describe how government, community groups and others in the area view the proposed biocontainment lab project.

"We're coordinating meetings now to make sure that the NIH representatives have the access they need to the appropriate individuals on campus with whom they have asked to meet," Hinshaw said. "With growing threats from serious infectious diseases like West Nile virus and SARS, we are keenly aware of the urgency of making this proposed facility a reality."

In its October request for proposals for national biocontainment laboratories, NIH stated that it would provide three-fourths of the construction funds while looking to the applicant to provide the remaining one fourth. NIH has indicated it would award funding for two laboratories in the fall of this year.

According to the UC Davis proposal, the laboratory facility would be built on a 31.5-acre parcel located just south of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. That site is currently occupied by the UC Davis Equestrian Center, which will be relocated next year to a new facility now being developed at the campus's Russell Ranch property about 3 miles west of the main campus.

More information on UC Davis' proposed national biocontainment laboratory is available online at http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/biosafetylab/.