Taking vaccines from the research stage to now having an on-site vaccine manufacturing facility is what VIDO-InterVac is all about on the University of Saskatchewan campus. VIDO-Intervac stands for Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre, which is a long name with a long list of research projects of international scope. Director and CEO, Dr. Andrew Potter, says they have commercialized a number of vaccines in Canada and have their roots in the animal health field, but also work on human infectious diseases as well. The facility itself has grown to include bio-containment level 3 labs, which means scientists working in what might look like space suits. There is an increase in risk to the researcher and to the general public. Anthrax, viruses like HIV, and pandemic influenza would be level 3. Winnipeg has the only facility in Canada with level 4 facilities, which would be for things like Ebola. If you are interested in finding out more about VIDO-Intervac and its international scope, the public meeting is 7 o’clock Thursday night at McNally Robinson Bookstore. Dr. Potter says the work at this facility has spanned the globe with research on every continent except Antarctica.