96-09-24 Primate Research Facility Dedication Sept. 26

                         NEWS ADVISORY:
    NEW PRIMATE RESEARCH FACILITY TO BE DEDICATED THURSDAY

     Researchers and officials from Ohio universities will 
join scientists at The Ohio State University on Thursday 
(9/26) to dedicate a new $2.53 million Primate Research 
Center.  The building is the newest addition to Ohio State's 
Laboratory Animal Center at 6089 Godown Road, Columbus.

     The new facility will house up to 180 monkeys and allow 
researchers to concentrate new efforts on understanding 
diseases such as AIDS and cancer.  The center will provide 
researchers with the safest conditions available in the 
state to study highly infectious diseases.  The entire 
facility is designated as Biosafety Level 2, although one 
research laboratory and an animal holding room are 
designated as Biosafety Level 3.

     Biosafety levels range from 1 to 4, with level 4 being 
the most intensive.  Biosafety Level 4 facilities are 
required to study pathogens such as the Ebola virus.  No 
work of that kind will be performed at the Ohio State 
facility.

     The dedication will begin at 2 p.m. and visitors will 
be offered tours of the facility immediately afterward.  
Once the center begins operation, access will be severely 
restricted.
                             #

Contact:  William P. Yonushonis (614) 292-0272; 
Yonushonis.1@osu.edu.


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Tue, 24 Sep 1996 11:22:33 -0400]
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