Laboratory Response Network (LRN)

Date of Publication

3/5/2010

Definition

A diverse national/international laboratory network of local, State, and Federal public health, hospital-based, food testing, veterinary and environmental testing laboratories that provide rapid detection assays and laboratory diagnostics and the capacity to respond to biological and chemical terrorism and other public health emergencies. The LRN is a reciprocal multi-agency collaboration/partnership involving key stakeholders in the preparation and response to biological and chemical terrorism. The CDC, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories are its founding partners. The mission of the LRN and its partners is to maintain an integrated national and international network of laboratories that are fully equipped to respond quickly to acts of chemical or biological terrorism, emerging infectious diseases, and other public health threats and emergencies.