Among our hundreds of advanced laboratories, Johns Hopkins APL maintains dozens of world-class facilities for health response, analytics and operations, biology and chemistry labs, and more, for advancing national and global health for civilians and warfighters alike.
Below is a small sampling of the National Health Mission Area’s labs and capabilities.
Health Engineering and Analytics Lab (HEAL)
This dynamic space includes systems to support technology for data visualization, computation and collaboration, and a robust virtual meeting infrastructure to facilitate and strengthen partnerships with Johns Hopkins entities. It also features a mock intensive care unit for demonstration purposes.
BioVALT
This state-of-the-art instrumentation laboratory features a number of specialized test devices used for imaging, biological tissue preparation and impact testing, including the Vertical Accelerator Load Transfer System (VALTS). VALTS is a vertical impact simulator used to conduct tests specific to underbody blasts by simulating roadside mine blasts. These tests are used to study the influence of posture or armor on kinematics, and to help produce data to validate predicted injuries and potential comorbidities.
Genome Sequencing Laboratory
Genome sequencing facilities enable next-generation sequencing and multi-type sample processing, including animal, plant, bacterial, and viral. Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq sequencers and multiple Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencers are maintained. A workflow integrates the data from these machines to high-power computation clusters within APL. Our researchers have developed novel sample processing, sequencing, and bioinformatics pipelines to enable innovative genomics analysis.
Research to Advance Physical Threat Reduction (RAPTR) Lab
The RAPTR lab facilitates technological innovation aimed at combating all manner of physical threats to soft targets through activities ranging from applied research to prototype integration to system testing and evaluation.