Oklahoma State University Finalist For Bioterrorism Lab

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma State University is among 18 finalists for a $450-million federal laboratory to study bioterrorism.<br/><br/>OSU is the only Oklahoma site in competition for the proposed

Thursday, August 10th 2006, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma State University is among 18 finalists for a $450-million federal laboratory to study bioterrorism.

OSU is the only Oklahoma site in competition for the proposed 500,000 square-foot, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the project involves the US departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services and would employ hundreds of scientists to study biological threats that could be used as weapons by terrorists.

Researchers will work in high-security labs to develop vaccines and other countermeasures for diseases that can spread from animals to humans.

29 groups applied for the center, and the list was narrowed to 18 based on acquisition and construction plans, research capabilities, work force and community acceptance.

A short list of candidates is expected by the end of the year, and a winner will be named in early 2008.