As part of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) works with provincial, national, and international public health and laboratory partners to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It does so by conducting laboratory-based surveillance and applied and discovery research, as well as helping to prepare for public health emergencies and responding to outbreaks. The NML is also part of multiple networks. One of its key functions is to provide leadership and capacity development in the area of infectious diseases, both domestically and internationally.