Laboratory Response Network

public health lab scientist conducts chemical testing  
Responding to Public Health Threats

The Laboratory Response Network (LRN) is the nation’s laboratory emergency response system.

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Founded by APHL, CDC and the FBI in 1999 to improve US readiness for bioterrorism, the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) is equipped to respond to acts of biological or chemical terrorism, emerging infectious disease, natural disasters and other public health threats.

The LRN operates through an integrated network of public and private sector laboratories. State and local public health laboratories support the network with advanced diagnostics and disease monitoring. Hospital and clinical laboratories refer suspicious specimens to LRN reference laboratories.

APHL supports the LRN by developing training and materials, articulating policy issues and maintaining testing proficiency in potential agents of biological and chemical terrorism.  

LRN and Anthrax Attacks

The LRN proved its value in 2001 when state and local public health laboratories labs tested 125,000 samples and conducted over a million tests. Over a period of three months, these laboratories tested approximately 70% of the anthrax specimens and conducted over 84,000 environmental workups.

2009 LRN National Meeting

From April 1-3, 2009, the Laboratory Response Network celebrated its ten year anniversary during the 2009 LRN National Meeting in Orlando, FL.  The meeting focused on the achievements of the past decade, as well as the direction and partnerships necessary to sustain and expand the network as we move into a new era of public health.  For more information about the meeting read the article written by APHL's public health programs coordinator Gavin Gollehon and Laboraory Response Network program manager Sikha Singh.