The pathology and histology teams work together to conduct morphologic assessments and molecular assays using in-life and postmortem samples attained during research studies that develop and use established animal models of high-consequence emerging human viruses. The clinical pathologic and histopathologic data are interpreted by the pathologists using historical controls, or within-study controls, to generate reports that address specific pathology-associated aims of each study.

The Clinical Studies Support Team (CSST) develops and fosters overseas relationships through continuous support of research studies and clinical trials involving pathogens of high consequence. When deployed, the team provides in-person training and assistance with assays, equipment, and project management.

The immunology team interrogates immune responses against pathogens requiring maximum containment by use of a variety of capabilities. These include but are not limited to cytometry (e.g., immunophenotyping), Luminex multiplex protein/cytokine arrays, cartridge-based cell- sorting (MACSQuant Tyto), ELISAs, serology, in vitro functional assays, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISPOT; e.g., T cell and B cell).

The IRF-Frederick is equipped with a one-of-a-kind multi-modality imaging suite, containing both clinical and pre-clinical imaging scanners, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and computed tomography (CT).

The electron microscopy (EM) laboratory team uses transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), negative staining techniques and assays, immunogold labeling, quantitation of biological samples, and other specialized methods. The EM team at the Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF Frederick) uses these varied capabilities for the analysis of biological samples at an ultrastructural level.

The drug screening team tests and characterizes novel compounds, drugs, and antibodies against numerous viruses in multiple cell lines under a variety of conditions. Compounds are evaluated in cell-based assays for inhibition of viral replication and reduction of virus yields, plaques, or cytopathic effect. In addition, recombinant reporter gene viruses are available as tools for antiviral screening.

The core services team provides cell culture, hematology, hemostasis, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and molecular virology support for infectious disease studies at the IRF-Frederick. The team has the ability to perform pre-screening assessment by having parallel setups of clinical analyzers in biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) and BSL-2. In addition, the team processes a high volume of study samples and maintains a repository from which it provides experimental samples to other groups within the facility for downstream analysis.

Developing, characterizing, and refining animal models rely on sophisticated medical imaging equipment; aerosol capabilities; and virology, pathology, molecular biology, and immunology expertise. Animal models are key to advancing medical countermeasures for high-consequence pathogens and often provide the only opportunity to gain critical insights and develop clinical algorithms for effectively managing patients or establishing a regulatory pathway for product licensure.

The aerobiology team develops aerosol animal models of disease caused by high-consequence pathogens. Using advanced inhalational technologies, this team provides high experimental reproducibility to ensure the best modeling possible. Aerosolization procedures are fine-tuned to achieve accurate and precise dosimetry. All work with high-consequence pathogens is conducted within animal biosafety level 4 (ABSL-4) containment laboratories at the Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF‑Frederick).