The Tulane University Regional Biosafety Laboratory being built at The Tulane National Primate Research Center is a biosafety level three (BSL-3) facility. Research conducted in the facility will focus on the development of treatments, vaccines and diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases that occur naturally, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and against biological agents that have the potential for misuse for terrorism. The overall goal of research associated with this facility is to protect the health and safety of our community and the nation.