Course brought together Latin American professionals for training in biosafety and work in high-containment environments
Legend: Participants during hands-on activities in the CNPEM training lab during the high-containment qualification course. (Photo credit: Outreach/CNPEM)
From August 10–21, the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) welcomed professionals from several Latin American countries for a course preparing them to work in high-containment (BSL-3) biological laboratories. The course, which was presented by the Latin American Center for Biotechnology (CABBIO), was held in the training laboratory located on CNPEM’s campus in Campinas, São Paulo.
The program comprised 80 hours of content combining theory with hands-on activities on biosafety and biological containment. Within the training infrastructure at CNPEM, participants were able to experience procedures and situations related to the routine in high-containment laboratories, and also share insights with professionals from different institutions and countries.
For Nicole Tischler, a Chilean researcher and one of the leaders of the training course, one of the differentials of this training is the ability to transform theoretical knowledge into practical experience. “The space simulates a real biocontainment laboratory and allows participants to use personal protection equipment. So it’s not just theory: we can put into practice what was discussed and develop security-minded and critical thinking before working in a biocontainment laboratory.”
The Brazilian participants included Isabela Lemos de Lima, a post-doctoral student at the Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU). This institution has just constructed a BSL-3 laboratory, which is still being prepared to begin operations. “We are in precisely this training stage, looking for information to establish biosecurity processes and trainings. Participating in this course is a unique opportunity to bring this knowledge back to the institution and help get the laboratory running.”
The sharing of experiences between different countries was also emphasized by Javier Ayala, from Paraguay’s National Animal Quality and Health Service (SENACSA), who works in the area of laboratory diagnosis. “The training was very enriching because I had the chance to exchange ideas with other colleagues, to learn how they work in other countries and continue training in the area of laboratory diagnosis.”
Among the most interesting content, Javier highlighted risk analysis and a hands-on activity responding to a simulated accident. “We often rely on our technical capabilities, but accidents can happen in everyday routines. Part of professional experience is also knowing how to react. Practicing let us assess how we respond to these situations and identify what we can improve.”
In hosting the training, CNPEM offered the participants its infrastructure dedicated to biosecurity and biocontainment training. This space allows practical activities in a controlled environment and encourages the sharing of knowledge and experience between professionals from Brazil and abroad, which was the case in this training that brought together participants from various Latin American countries.
Training highly-qualified professionals is essential for operating high- and maximum-containment biological laboratory infrastructures (BSL-3 and BSL-4, respectively). For this reason, even before Orion begins operations CNPEM is holding the Training & Qualification Program for BSL-3 laboratories, and will extend this to BSL-4 lab environments in the future. This initiative, which is the first of its kind in the country, is intended to develop skills that are still not widespread in Brazil and other Latin American nations, and will help expand capacity to work in these environments.
About the program
CNPEM’s Training & Qualification Program for high- and maximum-containment laboratories is intended to support the training of those who will use the Orion facilities in the future and also refine the capacities of teams already working in research and development involving pathogens.
The program includes theoretical activities and practical sessions held in a simulated training laboratory, a faithful replica of real facilities inside high- and maximum-containment biosafety labs (BSL-3 and BSL-4). Within this simulated space, researchers in training will be able to follow safety protocols without actually handling infectious materials or risking infection, under the supervision of professionals dedicated to performing individual assessments on biosafety procedures.
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 labs of this kind in the world connected to a synchrotron light source, Sirius. Currently under construction in the city of Campinas, São Paulo on the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (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 CNPEM, a social organization linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).
About CNPEM
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment and works on different fronts within the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), with the involvement of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, 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 constructing 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. CNPEM's research and development activities are carried out through its four National Laboratories: Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), Biorenewables (LNBR), as well as its Technology Unit (DAT) and the Ilum School of Science — an undergraduate program in Science and Technology.
