DTRA seal
Fort Belvoir, VA (PRWEB) August 27, 2014
Director Myers noted that the United States and our Kazakhstani partners, selected Otar as a location of the laboratory because of its existing scientific infrastructure, expertise, and proximity to other Central Asian scientific research institutes. It is a premier location for the first laboratory of this type to be built in Kazakhstan.
Speaking to the work of the new lab, Myers added, “This is a state-of-the-art laboratory, staffed by public health professionals, scientists, researchers and laboratory technicians from Kazakhstan. These Kazakhstani professionals will use this laboratory to conduct clinical and diagnostic research of infectious diseases that may affect both humans and animals. Working in coordination with other public health related agencies, this facility will enable Kazakhstan and the surrounding region to better anticipate and respond to human and animal diseases which have potentially significant consequences for human and animal health.”
The laboratory, a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 facility, is the result of an ongoing partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States to improve public health safety in Kazakhstan and is the first research facility of its kind in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It will support clinical and diagnostic research of infectious diseases that may affect both humans and animals. The laboratory will be administered by the Ministry of Education and Science and will contribute to the advancement of both public and veterinary health research and safety for the Republic of Kazakhstan. The facility will be staffed by public health professionals, scientists, researchers and laboratory technicians from Kazakhstan.
DTRA/SCC-WMD safeguards America’s interests from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives) by controlling and reducing the threat to the United States and its allies, and providing quality tools and services for the war fighter. This Department of Defense combat support agency is located at Fort Belvoir, Va., and operates field offices worldwide.