noun. The containment of pathological microorganisms within a well-defined, strictly controlled area, usually a research laboratory.

noun. Any of several techniques used to ensure that biohazards are contained within a laboratory and not allowed to escape into the environment

noun. The modification of an organism's genetic material in order to restrict its ability to reproduce outside of a laboratory

"The $50 million lab is across from the university's Prince William campus and is one of 13 biocontainment laboratories in the nation that were built with the help of grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases."