Houston, TX, identified by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as one of the seven U.S. cities most vulnerable to a terrorist attack, wants to become the center of the world for biosecurity. The city has long been known for its excellent hospitals and universities. The Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness was created at the University of Texas Health Science Center -- Houston following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Researchers at the center are investigating several areas related to domestic biosecurity threats, including research, education, training, risk communications, border health security, emergency preparedness, and policy development. The University of Texas Medical Branch -- Galveston is building a $180 million National Biocontainment Laboratory, one of just four in the Nation with the highest level of security that will enable safe containment and study of the most dangerous and lethal microbes for which there is no known cure and those that could be used as weapons. The Houston area has been identified as a model site for biosecurity because of the area’s resources which include its business community, the 42 institution Texas Medical Center, NASA, the private sector, and its talented citizenry. The region will remain well positioned in biosecurity for the long-term because of its international experience and activity, and the size of the educational components of the Texas Medical Center, where some 6 million people are trained.