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FINDER (Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research) is a state-of-the-art Containment Level 3 (CL3) facility at UBC, used by researchers aiming to understand the biology of Risk Group 3 pathogens and to develop novel therapeutic strategies and vaccines. FINDER is the only CL3 facility located in the lower mainland that has a dedicated virology research lab and can support research with animal models. In the context of the current pandemic, it is a critical research hub supporting many specialized projects related to SARS-CoV-2, ranging from increasing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology and the immunological host response to infection to evaluating the efficacy of drug and vaccine candidates. This broad scope of work means many research groups require simultaneous access to the FINDER facility. Genome BC is supporting the expansion of FINDER's capacity through personnel with the significant certification and training required to work in this facility. This capacity will be essential in supporting the many researchers in the COVID-19 scientific community who need to access FINDER now and as the pandemic progresses. By facilitating the research projects of BC-based scientists and their national and international collaborators, this project will make a significant contribution to BC’s and Canada’s scientific response to this global pandemic.