About the Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research Facility (PAAR)
Mission and Role
The Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research Facility (PAAR) exists to support critical research on high‑consequence plant and animal diseases that pose significant risks to agriculture, food systems, and economic stability. By providing secure, high‑containment research infrastructure, PAAR enables scientists to conduct studies that cannot be performed in conventional laboratory or animal facilities.
PAAR plays a unique role in advancing disease preparedness and response by allowing researchers to safely investigate pathogens of agricultural importance while protecting personnel, the surrounding community, and the environment. Through this work, PAAR supports The Ohio State University’s land‑grant mission to serve the people of Ohio through research, education, and innovation.
A Unique Facility in Ohio and Beyond
PAAR is Ohio’s only facility designed to support both BSL‑3 and BSL‑3 Ag research involving plant and animal health. This designation reflects the facility’s ability to safely support research activities requiring enhanced containment due to the potential consequences of accidental release.
The facility serves as a shared institutional resource, supporting qualified investigators from across the university and approved collaborators, subject to regulatory review and oversight. By maintaining this specialized capability, PAAR strengthens Ohio’s capacity to address emerging and foreign animal and plant disease threats.
Facility Overview
PAAR is a purpose‑built, high‑containment biocontainment facility that integrates specialized infrastructure, trained personnel, and institutional oversight. The facility supports both laboratory‑based and animal‑based research activities conducted under BSL‑3 and BSL‑3 Ag conditions.
Key features of the facility include:
- High‑containment research laboratories
- Animal isolation and housing areas
- Decontamination and waste treatment systems
- Controlled access and secure support spaces
All facility systems are designed to support safe, compliant research operations and are maintained according to applicable regulatory and institutional requirements.
Commitment to Safety and Oversight
Safety and responsibility are central to PAAR’s operation. Research conducted at the facility follows a layered containment approach, combining engineered controls, administrative procedures, and personnel training to manage risk effectively.
All projects conducted at PAAR are subject to:
- Institutional biosafety review
- Animal care and use oversight, where applicable
- Compliance with relevant federal, state, and university policies
This governance framework ensures that research activities align with PAAR’s mission while maintaining public trust and regulatory compliance.
Impact and Value
Research supported by PAAR contributes to:
- Improved disease detection and diagnostic capability
- Development of vaccines and mitigation strategies
- Enhanced understanding of pathogen behavior and transmission
- Increased preparedness for agricultural disease emergencies
By enabling this work, PAAR helps protect Ohio’s agricultural economy, supports national biosecurity objectives, and contributes to scientific solutions that address real‑world challenges in plant and animal health.
PAAR and the CFAES Wooster Campus
PAAR is located on The Ohio State University’s CFAES Wooster campus, a hub for agricultural research, education, and innovation. The facility complements existing research programs and infrastructure on campus by providing specialized containment capabilities that expand the scope of work researchers can pursue.
Through collaboration with faculty, research centers, and institutional partners, PAAR strengthens Ohio State’s role as a leader in agricultural and biosafety research