State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology
Encyclopedia
The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, also known as the Vector Institute, is a highly sophisticated biological research center in Koltsovo
, Novosibirsk Oblast
, Russia
. It is roughly analogous to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command. It has research facilities and capabilities for all levels of Biological Hazard
, CDC Levels 1-4. It is one of two official repositories for the now-eradicated smallpox
virus, and is part of the system of laboratories known as the Biopreparat
.
Recently the facility has been upgraded and secured using the most modern cameras, motion sensors, fences, and biohazard containment systems. Its relative seclusion makes security an easier task. Since its inception there has been an elite army regiment guarding the facility.
The facility has, at least in Soviet times, been a nexus for biological warfare
research, though the nature of any ongoing research in this area is uncertain. Many of the researchers at the institution are courted by other research institutions around the globe.
Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Oblast
Koltsovo is an urban locality in Novosibirsky District of Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia, located from Novosibirsk. Population: Municipally, Koltsovo is incorporated as Koltsovo Urban Okrug...
, Novosibirsk Oblast
Novosibirsk Oblast
Novosibirsk Oblast is a federal subject of Russia located in southwestern Siberia. Its administrative and economic center is the city of Novosibirsk. Population: -Overview:...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. It is roughly analogous to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
and the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command. It has research facilities and capabilities for all levels of Biological Hazard
Biological hazard
Biological hazards, refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily that of humans. This can include medical waste or samples of a microorganism, virus or toxin that can impact human health. It can also include substances harmful to animals...
, CDC Levels 1-4. It is one of two official repositories for the now-eradicated smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
virus, and is part of the system of laboratories known as the Biopreparat
Biopreparat
Biopreparat was the Soviet Union's major biological warfare agency from the 1970s on. It was a vast network of secret laboratories, each focused on a different deadly agent...
.
Recently the facility has been upgraded and secured using the most modern cameras, motion sensors, fences, and biohazard containment systems. Its relative seclusion makes security an easier task. Since its inception there has been an elite army regiment guarding the facility.
The facility has, at least in Soviet times, been a nexus for biological warfare
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
research, though the nature of any ongoing research in this area is uncertain. Many of the researchers at the institution are courted by other research institutions around the globe.