Training aims to qualify professionals in laboratories that research Risk Group 3 (RG-3) pathogens, how it is classified, for example, the Covid-19 virus
Caption: CNPEM’s training laboratory has Individual Protection Equipments (IPEs) to biosafety level 3. In the photo, a professional in a practical session using a motorized respirator with HEPA filter (Credits: Disclosure/CNPEM)
Between November 25th and 28th, the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) carried out another training session for researchers on Risk Group 3 (RG-3) laboratory practices, also known as high-containment biological laboratories. The training is part of CNPEM Biosafety Training and Capacity Building Program, and happens in the Orion project context — laboratory complex for advanced research on pathogens, which will bring together unprecedented maximum biosafety facilities (BSL-4) in Latin America, being the world’s first connected to a synchrotron light source, Sirius.
Lasting four days and featuring practical and theoretical activities, the training took place at the training laboratory located in the CNPEM campus, in Campinas. The space is a faithful replica of BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories (high and maximum-containment biological laboratories, respectively), allowing the execution of complex procedures under laboratory conditions, but without actual exposure to pathogenic agents.
The diversity of institutions represented in the class reflects the program’s reach and the scientific community’s interest in improving their skills through training offered by CNPEM. Among the participating organizations were Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS), Butantan Institute, University of São Paulo (USP), State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-RJ) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), with representatives from the states of Mato Grosso (MT) and Santa Catarina (SC).
“In this new module we had participants from the most diverse backgrounds and positions in their institutions, which are major references in national science, meeting the training proposal, which is to reach different professional groups that work in BSL-3 laboratories in the country. This module in particular was well contested by Brazilian professionals, and had competition from candidates from other Latin American countries”, informed Tatiana Ometto, CNPEM’s Biosafety Specialist and responsible for carrying out the Program.
Research Technician at the Butantan Institute, experienced in research and development of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, Eduardo Alfredo Adami was one of the training students and was impacted by the mockup space. “What I found most impressive is the structure, which has a real laboratory for simulations to be carried out”, he said.
Cristiano Valim Bizarro is a professor at PUC-RS, took part in the training, and highlighted the strategic relevance of the training offered. “Preparing the academic community and research institutes to respond to unexpected health situations with technical capabilities and qualified training, It is something indispensable and strategic for the country”, he evaluated.
The Program
The Training and Capacity Building Program held four editions in 2024, and offers training for operation in level 3 biosafety laboratories, which guarantees conditions to investigate pathogenic agents (such as viruses, fungi and bacteria) of class 3 biological risk, how it is classified, for example, Covid-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2. At this level of biosafety, the user can wear respiratory protection masks, which can vary between N95/ PFF2 or motorized respirators with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. Recently, the CNPEM laboratory acquired motorized respirators for the Program.
“Now with the structure ready and fully operational, and with the selection process established, the next training sessions will be held more frequently, with the aim of including more and more professionals who can come to CNPEM receive qualification and are able to return to their institutions to reproduce the learning achieved, increasing the scope of a new biosafety culture for BSL-3 laboratories in the country”, ads Tatiana Ometto.
Very soon, training will also be offered for BSL-4 laboratories. The laboratory infrastructure is already fully equipped for maximum biosafety training. It has, for example, a chemical bath and the typical inflated jumpsuit, which connects to external breathable air. In this case, maximum containment biological laboratories provide conditions for studying viruses such as Ebola, of the highest existing biological risk class. The Brazilian Sabiá virus and other arenaviruses that circulate throughout Latin America fall into this same category, like Junín for example, cause of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, the Guanarito, cause of Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever and the Machupo, cause of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever.
Sabiá (SABV) causes a severe hemorrhagic fever, but the samples of this virus are stored abroad and cannot be studied in the country, due to the lack of maximum biological containment infrastructure.
The training offered by CNPEM consolidates the institution’s role as a reference in the training of professionals able to deal with advanced biosafety challenges, strengthening national research and contributing to the protection of public health.
More information about the CNPEM Biosafety Training and Capacity Building Program can be obtained through the Program page: https://pages.cnpem.br/treinamentonb3
Project Orion
Project Orion will be a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research and will include Latin America’s first maximum biological containment level facilities (BSL-4), the only laboratory of its kind in the world connected to a synchrotron light source, Sirius. Currently under construction in the city of Campinas, São Paulo on the CNPEM campus, this project will combine analytic techniques and advanced competencies in bioimaging which will be open to the scientific community and public agencies. By permitting advances in knowledge on pathogens and related diseases, Orion will support health surveillance activities and policies, as well as the development of diagnostic methods, vaccines, treatments, and epidemiological strategies. Orion will support national sovereignty in facing health crises and has the potential to benefit various areas such as health, science and technology, defense, and the environment.
The implementation of Project Orion is overseen by the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), a social organization linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). The project is part of the federal government’s New Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) and funded with resources from the National Scientific and Technological Development Fund (FNDCT) and MCTI, with support from the Ministry of Health (MS). The New PAC also involves carrying out the second phase of Project Sirius with an investment of approximately R$ 800 million, which will include constructing ten new research stations and optimization of the facilities.
The Orion initiative is part of the federal government’s New Industry Brazil (NIB) stimulus policy and will serve as an instrument of national sovereignty, competence, and security in the fields of science and technology for research, defense, and human, animal, and environmental health. Orion was also planned to strengthen the Health Economic-Industrial Complex (CEIS), an initiative coordinated by the Ministry of Health and intended to meet priority demands from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).
About CNPEM
CNPEM is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment with activities within different fronts of the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the MCTI, CNPEM is driven by research that impacts the areas of health, energy, renewable materials, and sustainability. It is responsible for Sirius, the largest assembly of scientific equipment constructed in the country, and is currently developing Project Orion, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research. Highly specialized science and engineering teams, sophisticated infrastructure open to the scientific community, strategic lines of investigation, innovative projects involving the productive sector, and training for researchers and students are the pillars of this institution that is unique in Brazil and able to serve as a bridge between knowledge and innovation.
