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Community Liaison Committee (CLC)
National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL)
Boston University Medical Center (BUMC)
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MEETING NOTES
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
9:00 am. * Evans Seminar Room 112A
Attending
Glen Berkowitz, Christopher Brayton, Michael Kozu, Sandra Silver, Damiana Chiavolini, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, CoDirector, Aerobiology Core, NEIDL), Kevin Tuohey (Executive Director of Research
Compliance), Carla Richards (BUMC Director of Community Relations)
Research & Training
Dr. Chiavolini gave an overview of her background which includes research experience at a
BSL-3 (with a research focus on mouse models of bacterial respiratory disease, lung mucosal
immunity, intranasal vaccination. Dr. Chiavolini is the Co-Director for the Aerobiology Core at
the NEIDL.
Dr. Chiavolini gave a presentation and led discussion on the Aerobiology Core and noted that
aerosol exposure is the route of infection for many of the most naturally occurring infectious
pathogens; inhalational studies are an essential component for the study of pathogenesis,
prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Research projects within the Aerobiology Core will include study on pathogens such as
Tuberculosis, Tularemia, Pneumonic plague and Influenza. Animal models are needed to study
prevention and treatment against infectious diseases in vivo and to mimic the natural
transmission of airborne diseases.
Discussion took place on other types of pathogens that could be aerosolized and whether one
of the Level 4 agents could be aerosolized to do harm. Dr. Chiavolini explained that in fact,
when a pathogen is aerosolized it ends up in liquid form and that one of the challenges of the
work is that many of the agents die in an aerosol model.
Members asked for more information on maintaining a safe and secure research environment
and Tuohey discussed the systems in place to prevent individual scientists from using the
pathogens for nefarious purposes including extensive background checks and a the two-person
rule.
Operations
Tuohey updated the CLC on the recent orientation of first responders coordinated by the Boston
Public Health Commission and conducted by experts from Emory University. The orientation
took place on November 12-14 and involved more than 400 first responders, including
representatives from the Boston Fire and Police Departments.
Regulatory Affairs
Tuohey stated that Tetra Tech was awarded the contract by the NIH Blue Ribbon Panel to
conduct the additional risk assessment for the NEIDL. Tuohey gave an overview of the Blue
Ribbon Panel process thus far. Richards will follow-up with link/materials that describes the
BRP charge and focus.
Administrative Matters
In 2009, the CLC will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Evans Seminar
Room #112A unless otherwise announced.
11:00 a.m. Meeting adjourned
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