In this initial phase, the facility will focus on studies involving arboviruses such as Rocio, Ilheus, and yellow fever
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) has begun operations at its first biosafety level 3 laboratory (NB3). The facility has received international certification from the World BioHazTec (WBHT).
The laboratory, operated by CNPEM Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), and funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), was certified by World BioHazTec (WBHT). “The certification process involved a comprehensive evaluation of our training, processes, machinery, infrastructure, and equipment, ensuring that this NB3 laboratory operates at international standards,” emphasized Rafael Elias Marques, the lead virology researcher at LNBio/CNPEM.
During the certification process, various scenarios that could occur in the laboratory were simulated to test its preparedness for potential incidents. “This is a way to evaluate how we respond to hypothetical failures, such as fire simulations, ensuring that the laboratory maintains biocontainment even in these cases,” explained Marcos Rodrigo Alborghetti, LNBio operations coordinator.
He also explained the criteria considered during a laboratory’s certification. “Two main aspects are evaluated in the certification process: the laboratory’s infrastructure and how it is operated, that is, the personnel training,” added Alborghetti. Different areas of CNPEM were involved in this process, including the engineering, occupational safety, fire brigade, and maintenance teams.
After more than six-months of dialogue and information exchange, WBHT conducted a two-day assessment at CNPEM to verify whether the laboratory infrastructure complies with U.S. biosafety standards, based on the 6th edition of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. The organization has been monitoring the NB3 project at the Center for some time. The certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
The new laboratory at CNPEM will provide the necessary conditions to investigate pathogenic agents (such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria) classified as biological risk level 3. Examples of such pathogens include the COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2.
“The commencement of operations at this facility, along with the certification process, provides valuable lessons that will contribute to the successful implementation of Project Orion. The experiences we are gaining internally and in collaboration with other institutions, both in Brazil and abroad, are crucial to the project’s success,” concluded Antonio José Roque da Silva, General Director of CNPEM.
Research Projects
Among the research projects to be conducted in the laboratory are advanced studies of arboviruses, a group of viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks. Initially, the Center’s professional teams will conduct studies in this laboratory with Rocio virus, as well as Ilheus, and wild yellow fever. In the future, this research may be further developed at Orion, an advanced complex for advanced research on pathogens. Orion will feature Latin America’s first maximum biological containment level facilities (NB4), the world’s only such laboratories connected to a particle accelerator, Sirius.
Rocio will be the first virus manipulated in the laboratory. It is primarily transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause severe disease in humans, manifesting as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). “As was the case with Mayaro, it is hoped that this new laboratory will be able to elucidate the structure of the Rocio virus,” said the virologist, referring to the first viral structure elucidated in Latin America by researchers at CNPEM.
“CNPEM offers a unique environment for molecular and structural virology studies, which resulted, among other contributions, in the first structure of a virus solved in Latin America. With our internationally certified NB3, we now have full autonomy and security to conduct studies with emerging infectious agents of national and regional importance, such as the Rocio virus. This will contribute both to a better understanding of the biology of these pathogens and to the development of public health strategies,” noted Maria Augusta Arruda, director of the Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio).
Biosafety measures
Among the biosafety measures required to conduct research in a biosafety level 3 laboratory environment, there are air inlet and circulation control (with permanent negative pressure), air filters, barrier autoclaves, biological safety cabinets for the protection of biological materials, and personal protective equipment, such as aprons and coveralls (if necessary), gloves, goggles, and/or face shields. Foot protection equipment (special shoes, autoclavable shoes, or overshoes) and respiratory protection masks, which can vary between N95/PFF2 or powered respirators with HEPA filter, are also included.
Training
CNPEM is conducting a Training & Qualification Program on its campus for high and soon-to-be maximum biosafety laboratories. This initiative, the first of its kind in Brazil, is part of Project Orion and aims to train human resources capable of working in high and maximum biological containment environments. The program takes place in a training laboratory that is a faithful reproduction of the actual facilities of the NB3 and NB4 laboratories. Open to the academic community nationwide, the training also serves CNPEM researchers who work in the new NB3 laboratory.
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), 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, 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. It is responsible for operating the Brazilian Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), and Biorenewables (LNBR) National Laboratories, as well as the Ilum School of Science, which offers a bachelor’s degree program in science and Technology with support from the Ministry of Education (MEC).
