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Laboratory Response Network

The Laboratory Response Network (LRN) is the nation's laboratory emergency response system for biological, chemical and radiological threats and other public emergencies, such as natural disasters. The LRN is a valuable resource for law enforcement and public health officials during public health emergencies. 

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Contact the Public Health Preparedness and Response team: [email protected]

About the LRN

Founded in 1999 by APHL, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to improve US readiness for bioterrorism, the LRN remains a valuable resource for law enforcement and public health officials. It links local, state and federal public health laboratories with sentinel clinical, food, veterinary, environmental and agricultural laboratories, and military and international laboratory centers.

Over time, the US Department of Defense has also become an LRN partner, joining in strategic planning and supporting LRN biological response activities—notably, during the 2014 Ebola outbreak response. 

Learn more about the LRN

LRN-B: Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats

The Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats (LRN-B) is organized as a tiered pyramid of sentinel clinical, reference and national laboratories. These laboratories are integrated into a single network for rapid detection and response to threats. In 2014, the reference tier was further categorized into reference, standard and advanced laboratories based on capabilities. This configuration:

  • Further standardized testing capabilities
  • Supports quality improvement initiatives
  • Improves flexibility within the network
  • Expands capabilities and capacity for biothreat agent and emerging infectious disease testing

LRN-C: Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats

The Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats (LRN-C), the chemical component of the Laboratory Response Network, was established to prepare and respond to chemical threats. The LRN-C links 54 state and local public health laboratories across the US and its territories. These laboratories operate at three levels that reflect their ability to perform various functions during emergency events:

  • Level 3 laboratories work with hospitals and first responders to collect, package and ship human samples to other laboratories for confirmatory testing
  • Level 2 laboratories test the samples referred from Level 3 laboratories for toxic chemicals and metals
  • Level 1 laboratories are able to test for chemical warfare agents and to help the CDC test human samples during large-scale emergencies
LNR reporting structures: LRN-B pyramid and LRN-C egg

LRN reporting structures

APHL Support of the LRN

APHL supports the LRN through training, quality improvement initiatives, surge capacity and exercise planning, policy development and fostering of partnerships. 

Our activities include:

  • Plan and convene national meetings to provide LRN partners with current information on preparedness collaborations and emerging technologies, share model practices, discuss solutions to ongoing challenges, address training needs and explore the future of the LRN to stay ahead of threats.
  • Plan and execute the LRN Conventional Methods course, training laboratorians in classical microbiological detection techniques.
  • Convene annual in-person meetings of the LRN Operational Workgroup and the LRN Joint Leadership Committee to discuss operations and strategic planning.
LRN-B Peer Network Program

APHL connects state, local and territorial public health laboratories to promote communication among Bioterrorism Response Coordinators, strengthen their preparedness and response capabilities.

Applications are currently closed.

Federal Investment in LRN

In the years following the LRN’s founding, significant federal and state investment in public health preparedness strengthened laboratory capability and capacity to respond to health threats, both man-made and naturally occurring. This investment proved invaluable in responding to Hurricane Katrina and Sandy and other natural disasters. It also readied public health laboratories to respond to the nationwide outbreak of 2009 H1N1 influenza and to emerging diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola. 

Electronic Laboratory Reporting

To modernize, consolidate and streamline data exchange services, CDC has identified electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) as the desired method for LRN member laboratory reporting to CDC.

About ELR

ELR is a patient-centric system of reporting that uses a laboratory's existing laboratory information management system (LIMS) to send data to CDC. The system applies to both LRN-B and LRN-C reporting and provides the highest quality data. To date, several LRN-B and LRN-C laboratories have completed the full scope of LRN ELR reporting requirements​.

  • Reduces manual entry burden, which leads to fewer errors and better data integrity
  • Streamlines data requirements so that less reporting is needed
  • Maximizes data volume and quality during surge event, enhancing surveillance and preparedness capacity
  • Minimizes implementation costs and maintenance burden, making ELR more sustainable
  • ELR uses a smaller standardized data set, reducing the amount of data that needs to be maintained and mapped for LRN reporting
  • Employs a standardized message that aligns with existing laboratory vocabulary, structure and messaging
  • Removes the need for custom configurations within the laboratory’s LIMS
  • Integrates seamlessly into the laboratory’s overall messaging ecosystem, simplifying implementation and ongoing maintenance

CDC has modernized the data exchange infrastructure for the LRN due to several driving factors, including the need to consolidate and streamline services, the age of the current application used for LRN data exchange and the opportunity to leverage new and more advanced software technologies. After an intensive review of the LRN-B and LRN-C was conducted in 2017, attention was given to the consistent application of vocabulary and messaging standards.

A new standard was finalized in early 2018, which is compatible with electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) (ORU_R01 HL7 v.2.5.1 or ELR to Public Health) requirements consistent with other laboratory data reported to CDC, providing greater data interoperability and flexibility for LRN-B and LRN-C moving forward. 

ELR Requirement in the LRN

As of March 1, 2025, LRN-B LIMSi-enabled laboratories that have not implemented ELR are required to use DataLink to meet messaging requirements. It will be a requirement of PHEP funding for all LRN-B laboratories and level 1 and 2 LRN-C laboratories to implement ELR for reporting by June 30, 2029.

Contact the LRN Data Integration Team at [email protected] with questions.

Funding Opportunities for LRN ELR

The costs for implementing ELR for LRN-B and LRN-C data integration capabilities varies depending on the LIMS platform. There are several funding options available for LRN ELR implementation: 

  • Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program and Guidance
    CDC; Domain 6—Biosurveillance
    Cooperative agreement that helps health departments build and strengthen their abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological events.