{"id":55862,"date":"2023-08-08T10:29:31","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T13:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnpem.br\/orion\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T18:32:18","slug":"orion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cnpem.br\/en\/orion\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Orion"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Orion is a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research that will be available to the Brazilian and international scientific communities investigating pathogenic agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi) and how they affect human health. The plans for Orion include Latin America\u2019s first maximum biological containment facilities (BSL-4), the only laboratory of its kind in the world connected to a synchrotron light source, Sirius.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will also contain BSL-2 and BSL-3 spaces, laboratories for basic research, analytic techniques, and advanced competencies for biological imaging, such as microscopy. The work that will take place at Orion will advance knowledge on pathogens and related diseases and support surveillance activities and public health policies. <\/span><\/p>\n

All this infrastructure will benefit the development of diagnostic methods, vaccines, treatments, and epidemiological strategies, for example, in turn strengthening the Brazilian health system and fostering national sovereignty to face current and future health scenarios. Orion is overseen by the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), a social organization supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCTI).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Orion will have the potential to benefit various areas such as health, science and technology, defense, and the environment, and will be available to the scientific community and public agencies to respond to health challenges that face Brazilian society. <\/span><\/p>\n

The infrastructure include corporate areas, an animal research facility, laboratories for electron microscopy and cryomicroscopy, advanced bioimaging techniques, and a BSL-3\/BSL-4 containment laboratory training center to train specialized professionals in Brazil for work in BSL-3 and BSL-4 settings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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