Two leading U.S. research institutions, Emory University and Cincinnati Children's, have recently expanded their capabilities to advance infectious disease and vaccine science with the opening of state-of-the-art research facilities. Together, these new facilities reflect growing national investment in advanced research infrastructure to better understand infectious diseases, accelerate vaccine development, and improve global public health outcomes.
Emory University
At Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, the Emory Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens, in collaboration with the Emory Hope Clinic, established a first-of-its-kind U.S. research unit dedicated to studying indoor human-to-human transmission of airborne diseases. Supported by a $10 million grant from Flu Lab, the custom-designed unit integrates clinical care and research, featuring a 10-bed human challenge unit, controlled exposure rooms, aerosol sampling clean rooms, and an on-site virology lab. The facility enables controlled infection studies of viruses such as influenza and RSV, providing critical insights into how pathogens spread and how to make indoor environments safer.
Read Emory Healthcare's press release.
Cincinnati Children's
Meanwhile, Cincinnati Children's has opened the $42 million Winslow Research Pavilion, a 45,000-square-foot facility that serves as the new home of its Vaccine Research Center. The pavilion consolidates outpatient and overnight clinical trial operations, including a 16-bed adult study unit, and houses additional programs such as the Discover Together Biobank and Freezer Archive. Since 1996, the Vaccine Research Center has enrolled more than 20,000 volunteers in over 250 clinical trials, continuing its work to evaluate vaccines that protect both children and adults.
Read Cincinnati Children's press release.
