Gov. Linda Lingle has released $2.5 million to design a Pacific Regional Biosafety Laboratory near the Biosciences Research Building at the University of Hawaii-Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kakaako, the state said today in a news release.

"Infectious diseases and agents pose a serious threat to the health and security of Hawai'i," Lingle said in a statement. "Building a state-of-the-art biosafety laboratory will make Hawai'i a safer place to live and to visit, enhance the University of Hawaii's research focus on infectious diseases, and help drive the life sciences industry in our state."

The Pacific Regional Biosafety Laboratory, which upon completion will be one of 13 such laboratories in the national network funded by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, will consist of approximately 25,000 square feet, including 8,000 square feet of laboratory space. Primary users will be the medical school's Department of Tropical Medicine and Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology. However, the facility will also be available for use by qualified researchers from the state and federal government, including the military and other research institutions.

Construction is estimated to cost $37.5 million, which includes $12.5 million in state funds and $25 million in federal funds.

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in November 2010 and be completed in June 2012.