What is the Ricketts Lab?
The Ricketts Lab would be a state-of-the-art biocontainment facility. The lab would cost $31 million to build and would be approximately 35,000 square feet. It would consist of: office space, Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) & Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories, vivarium for work with small rodents under BSL-2 & BSL-3, and mechanical space.

Artist’s depiction of the Ricketts Lab

The Ricketts Lab is part of the National Strategic Plan for Biodefense and Infectious Disease Research, headed by the National Institutes of Health. This facility will be designed, managed, and operated to protect laboratory workers and the surrounding community from accidental exposure to any infectious agents. The Ricketts Lab will provide needed biocontainment space to researchers and promote the advancement of knowledge in the disciplines of biodefense and emerging infectious diseases.

Lab Facilities
The Ricketts Lab site is approximately 4 acres, located in the 200 Area of Argonne National Laboratory. All lab facilities will be designed to meet or exceed requirements outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifications for biocontainment.

BSL-2 Facilities:
■ Designed for the study of agents of moderate potential hazard
■ Personnel training required
■ Access to the lab is restricted
■ Any splash or aerosol work must be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC)
■ Gloves and coats must be worn

BSL-3 Facilities:
■ Designed for the study of agents that may cause serious disease as a result of inhalation
■ All safety practices for BSL-2 are required, plus:
■ All work with infectious agents is conducted in a biological safety cabinet
■ Additional personnel training is required
■ Expanded spill procedures, primary, and secondary barriers

All agents studied in this facility have at least one treatment option available. There will be no agents that require BSL-4 containment.

Personnel and Research

The Ricketts Laboratory will actively recruit expert researchers from around the region, via the Great Lakes Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease Research. The laboratory will also feature superior, state of the art research resources, superior operating efficiency, and a commitment to train researchers and personnel responsible for public safety, and to promptly respond to national or regional needs.

Work to be conducted at the Ricketts Laboratory will:
■ Include research on the biology of the disease-causing agent
■ Incorporate laboratory and animal model studies to test the usefulness of new drugs and vaccines and diagnostic tests to detect, treat and prevent illness among civilians and military
■ Adhere to all relevant security and safety standards required by law
■ NOT include research on bioweapons (this is not permissible under international law)