The Emory Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens, in collaboration with the Emory Hope Clinic, announced on May 30 the establishment of a dedicated research unit within Emory University Hospital to advance the study of airborne infectious diseases. A ribbon cutting for the new facility was held on May 19 in preparation for its opening. The center reports that it is currently the only unit in the United States focused on studying human-to-human infectious transmission indoors.
Supported by a $10 million grant from Flu Lab, an organization founded to promote innovative approaches for influenza prevention and treatment, this new space integrates clinical care and research to directly measure how viruses spread through air. The custom-designed facility features a 10-bed human challenge unit where volunteers enroll in studies involving airborne diseases such as influenza and RSV. Additional amenities include two exposure rooms with temperature and humidity controls, a clean room for aerosol sampling, and an on-site virology laboratory.
Seema Lakdawala, PhD, co-director of the Emory Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens and associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine, said, “This specialized unit has unique environmental systems to allow precise control of temperature and humidity — critical factors that influence airborne transmission — but have historically been difficult to study in human settings. By combining these capabilities, the unit enables researchers to capture concrete data on how infectious viruses are transmitted human-to-human and develop practical interventions to reduce the spread of respiratory pathogens and make indoor spaces safer.”
During studies lasting eight to fourteen days, participants stay in isolation rooms designed for infection control while being closely monitored by staff. These rooms include hospitality features such as microwaves and coffee machines. Volunteers participate in various exposure sessions as well as air sampling activities throughout their stay. After each study concludes, researchers follow up with participants over several months to gather information about immune responses.
Nadine Rouphael, MD, executive director of Emory Hope Clinic and Sumner E. Thompson III Distinguished Professor at Emory University, said, “At the Emory Hope Clinic, the clinical arm of the Emory Vaccine Center, we provide the expertise and infrastructure to safely conduct these human infection studies, ensuring the highest standards of participant care and regulatory oversight. The new unit positions Emory at the forefront of global efforts to understand and mitigate airborne disease transmission.”
The research unit is supported by both Flu Lab funding and operational support from Emory Hope Clinic.
