Upgrading Institutional Capacity with a BSL-3 Facility for Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research

Project Summary/Abstract: The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) proposes the construction of an Enhanced Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)/Animal BSL-3 facility to address critical gaps in regional capacity for high-containment research on pathogens of significant public health concern, particularly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other emerging infectious agents. Despite Fred Hutch’s leadership in infectious disease research, the absence of an on-site BSL-3 facility limits the institution’s ability to fully support multidisciplinary biomedical research and respond rapidly to outbreaks. Notably, Seattle Children’s Research Institute lacks shower-out and effluent decontamination systems, and the University of Washington’s BSL-3 facility also lacks an effluent decontamination system. The proposed 5,145-square-foot facility, located on the Fred Hutch campus in Seattle, Washington, will incorporate next-generation biosafety features, including a shower-out system, an Effluent Decontamination System (EDS), and dedicated containment zones. The design includes flexible laboratory spaces, specialized areas for pathogen-specific research, and advanced facilities for automation, flow cytometry and waste processing. These features ensure compliance with NIH, CDC and USDA biosafety standards, further enabling cutting-edge research. This next-generation BSL-3 facility will serve as a regional hub for collaboration, leveraging expertise from Seattle Children’s Research Institute, the University of Washington, and other stakeholders. By applying lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding research capacity for high-priority pathogens, the facility will strengthen public health preparedness, support sustainable infrastructure, and bolster the Seattle area’s leadership in infectious disease research. The project directly aligns with Fred Hutch’s mission to advance global health and biomedical innovation by providing critical infrastructure to address pathogens which cause severe disease in our immunocompromised transplant patients as well as emerging infectious disease challenges. Its construction will position Fred Hutch and its partners as leaders in collaborative and high-impact research, driving long-term scientific and public health advancements.