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  4. National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center

National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center

Location: Fort Detrick, MD

NBACC. National Biodefense Analysis & Countermeasures Center The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports intelligence assessments, preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS and the capabilities within the facility did not exist prior to the Amerithrax attacks of 2001. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff of more than 150 dedicated employees have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to defend the public from acts of terrorism.

View Original "National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center" video

World Class Facilities for Biodefense

Close up photo of the NBACC facility. NBACC’s 160,000 square-foot facility and 51,927 square feet of lab space includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center, which conducts experiments and studies to better understand biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a national resource for understanding the risks posed by the malicious use of biological agents and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

Biodefense homeland security missions require special attention to safety, security, and regulatory requirements, and NBACC is committed to maintaining a culture of safety. Its fully accredited, state-of-the-art lab facilities are at the biosafety levels (BSL) 2, 3, and 4, providing the highest standards of safety and experimental capability available. Its BSL-4 accreditation allows NBACC to perform R&D on pathogens for which no vaccine or treatment exists and makes it one of seven such facilities in the United States.

S&T Published Research

Providing Efficiencies through Partnerships

NBACC is a partner in the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research at Fort Detrick. This consortium includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration; National Cancer Institute; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility; Naval Medical Research Center Biological Defense Research Directorate; U.S. Army Installation Management Command; U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command; U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases; and U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit. As an interagency partner, NBACC coordinates a range of scientific, technical, operational, and infrastructure-related activities that enhance scientific collaboration and productivity.

In addition, NBACC established a “Work for Others” program that makes the NBACC national security biocontainment capabilities more broadly available to federal agencies.

Addressing Emergent Threats

NBACC is a key contributor of research expertise and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to the work executed through the S&T Probabilistic Assessment of National Threats Hazards and Risks (PANTHR) program and in coordination with the S&T Hazard Awareness Characterization Technology Center (HAC-TC). In support of the PANTHR program’s focus, scientists from NBACC conducted groundbreaking research on the stability of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19). For instance, data produced by researchers at NBACC is used in S&T’s SARS-CoV-2 estimated airborne and surface stability calculators. For more information regarding NBACC's research efforts, read about how the lab’s past and present work through S&T helps inform current and future pandemic response.

As a matter of practice, NBACC coordinates with other national laboratories to enhance research capabilities, share lessons learned, and provide training more efficiently. In addition, NBACC also collaborates with the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health to plan and conduct research to address gaps and needs in biodefense.

Did You Know?

The NBFAC component of NBACC provides the FBI with bioforensic testing and analysis on suspected biothreat samples, including analyses of ricin envelopes mailed to public officials. NBACC has supported more than 100 federal law enforcement cases.

As a national resource, NBACC offers a 24/7 biodefense capability with the means and infrastructure to conduct sensitive experiments that address operational needs and fundamental knowledge gaps in biodefense.

Fact Sheet

National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) Fact Sheet 

Related Resources

Contact us at SandTNatLabs@hq.dhs.gov

Last Updated: 06/14/2024
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