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.

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).

PathogenAR is an Augmented Reality application from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Explore interactive stories about pathogens and pathogenic disease using touch gestures or a Merge Cube Device.

A Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating an investigational vaccine designed to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has begun at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) in Seattle. The open-label trial will enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers ages 18 to 55 years over approximately 6 weeks. The first participant received the investigational vaccine today. The study is evaluating different doses of the experimental vaccine for safety and its ability to induce an immune response in participants. This is the first of multiple steps in the clinical trial process for evaluating the potential benefit of the vaccine.

The Systems Biology Consortium for Infectious Diseases is a community of systems biologists who integrate experimental biology, computational tools and modeling across temporal and spatial scales to improve our understanding of infectious diseases. Through collaborative efforts, scientists test and validate hypotheses that drive innovation and discovery. The Consortium seeks to develop strategies that predict and alleviate disease severity and ultimately provide solutions to the world's most important health challenges.

The Therapeutic Development Services program offers a collection of preclinical services to support the development of products intended for use in the cure, mitigation, diagnosis, or treatment of disease caused by a pathogen or certain toxins.

This is one of several programs provided by NIAID's Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases to support infectious disease product developers.

The Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs), supported by the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) since the 1960s, provide a ready resource for the conduct of clinical trials to evaluate promising vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics for infectious diseases. The sites are part of DMID's Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC).