National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), is a biosciences facility of Boston University located on Albany street, within the clinical and biopharma hub of the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

The lab is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases, whether naturally occurring or introduced through bioterrorism. The Labs include a BSL-4 laboratory, which study the most dangerous and deadly human diseases.

The NEIDL's current director is Dr. Nancy Sullivan, ScD, who previously served at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

History
On February 2, 2006, Boston Medical Center received regulatory approval from the federal government to fund construction of a biosafety laboratory on its medical campus in the South End, Boston.

There has been strong community opposition to the planned building, and BSL-2 level research did not begin until 2012 due to court injunctions.

In early 2014, BSL-4 research was still being opposed by community groups including the Union Park Neighborhood Association and Boston City Councilor Charles Yancey who was conducting hearings on its safety and recommending a citywide ban on BSL-4 research.

The NEIDL was given final approval for BSL-4 research by the Boston Public Health Commission on December 6, 2017, with the support of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. Every project at the lab will also need individual BPHC review and approval.

Current research
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NEIDL paused research outside of SARS-CoV-2 diagnositics and countermeasures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.