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Delegation from South Korean University uses K-State's BRI as a model for their biocontainment facilityKansas A delegation of academics, politicians and engineers associated with Seoul National University were in Manhattan recently to bolster research relationships in agricultural sciences and learn all they could about how Kansas State University's BRI--Biosecurity Research Institute--was built. The South Korean university is using the BRI as a model for biocontainment facilities to be built on a new agricultural biotechnology campus. The visit to Manhattan was March 24 and 25. Eun Woo Park, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University, led a 12-member delegation, made up mostly of engineers charged with designing the university's new biocontainment labs. "I wanted to give the engineers an opportunity to learn about the concepts, technology and operational considerations behind biocontainment research facilities," Park said. "The engineers were very impressed with the facilities at the BRI and greatly appreciated all information they received." The BRI, in Pat Roberts Hall, is the only BSL-3 biocontainment research and training facility in the U.S. that can accommodate high-consequence pathogen research on food animals, food crops and food processing under one roof. This allows for a more comprehensive approach in researching threats to the nation's food supply. Besides the BRI, Pat Roberts Hall also has advanced training and education space, complete with an integrated training suite and mock lab. Scott Rusk, director of Pat Roberts Hall, said that this wasn't the first time the BRI and Pat Roberts Hall have been visited by people putting together new biocontainment facilities. He says it's a good practice to benchmark the planning and design of new facilities against those that have recently been built, and the engineers from South Korea spent the good part of a day scoping out the building and institute. "This is one of the newest biocontainment facilities to come on line, so it's not surprising that others want to compare it with their own ideas, needs and plans," Rusk said. "During a benchmark visit design teams can learn about facility layout, how to address biocontainment principles and practices, innovative construction methods, operational considerations and exactly how a facility can accommodate specific research needs. Each facility will end up being unique for a variety of reasons, but it is common practice to borrow ideas from others who have done it before." Fred Cholick, dean of the College of Agriculture, called K-State's partnership with Seoul National University significant. "Seoul National University is the leading educational institution in the country. They're the M.I.T. of South Korea," Cholick said. "The scientific and cultural exchange offered by both universities will benefit agricultural science for generations to come." During the visit, Park and Cholick signed a formal memorandum of understanding to strengthen research partnerships and exchange opportunities between K-State's College of Agriculture and Seoul National University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "K-State's College of Agriculture is a most suitable match for students from Seoul National University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They'll be able to experience outstanding research activities and American culture," Park said. "Global education in agricultural sciences is becoming more and more important to the future generations." Research efforts between the colleges currently involve three researchers in the department of plant pathology: John Leslie, Frank White and Barbara Valent. Leslie, who is also department head, said that he expects the additional research collaboration to lead to meaningful breakthroughs in plant science that will benefit agriculture across the globe.
Date: 5/15/08
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