The area is rat-free, allowing species such as the South Georgia Pipit, and burrowing petrels and prions to thrive.
Operated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, RML conducts research on maximum containment pathogens such as Ebola as well as research on prions and intracellular pathogens such as Coxiella burnetti and Francisella tularensis.
Lichens, Lobaria pulmonaria, may have potential for reducing the number of prions because some species contain proteases that show promise in breaking down the prion.