The Advanced Chemistry Laboratory opened Oct. 7 at the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

The $46 million facility will help to counter the threat of chemical and biological warfare, Aberdeen officials said in a press release announcing the lab’s opening.

“The dedication of the ACL marks a major milestone of a new era of cutting-edge science and technology development,” said Jim Zarzycki, the Edgewood center’s technical director, in the release. “More now than ever, we are prepared to fulfill our mission of preparing our war fighter and domestic emergency responders to counter the terrible threat of weapons of mass destruction.”