{"id":64680,"date":"2026-04-02T09:59:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnpem.br\/?p=64680"},"modified":"2026-08-05T13:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T16:45:15","slug":"cnpem-offers-first-international-training-in-bsl-3-laboratories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnpem.br\/en\/cnpem-offers-first-international-training-in-bsl-3-laboratories\/","title":{"rendered":"CNPEM offers first international training in BSL-3 laboratories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The training was offered to researchers from Hungary\u2019s National Laboratory of Virology at the University of P\u00e9cs in order to develop international standards for training in high-level and maximum biological containment environments<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Legend:

Legend: Group from Hungary\u2019s National Laboratory of Virology receives BSL-3 training in
CNPEM\u2019s training lab (Photo credit: Outreach\/CNPEM)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Brazilian National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)<\/strong> has offered its first international training session on high-level biological containment environments through its BSL-3 Laboratory Training and Qualification Program<\/a>. The training was held from February 23 to 26 for researchers from the National Laboratory of Virology (VNL)<\/a> at the University of P\u00e9cs in Hungary.<\/p>\n

This initiative is part of activities in preparation for project Orion<\/a>, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research that will include Latin America\u2019s only maximum biological containment facilities (BSL-4) and the first labs of this kind in the world connected to a synchrotron light source, Sirius, via three beamlines.<\/p>\n

Even before Orion is inaugurated, CNPEM is already carrying out a structured human resources training program to develop skills that are not yet widespread in Brazil or Latin America. The goal is to empower future users of the scientific infrastructure and strengthen teams that already work in pathogen research.<\/p>\n

Participating in the training were VNL director Gabor Kemenesi, post-doctoral researchers Zsofia Lanszki and Brigitta Zana, and PhD student Krisztina Rebeka Leiner.<\/p>\n

According to Kemenesi, participating in the training at CNPEM directly contributes to the training program currently being developed at the University of P\u00e9cs in Hungary. The scientists\u2019 experience in the training laboratory, which permits systematic practice of procedures in a dedicated environment, has been fundamental to consolidate protocols, operational routines and biosafety guidelines that will orient implementation of this program in the Hungarian lab.<\/p>\n

According to CNPEM Biosafety Manager Tatiana Ometto, the training is intended to fill a gap related to the lack of established international standards for biosafety training. \u201cThe partnership highlights CNPEM\u2019s commitment to international best practices and to work on the cutting edge of scientific knowledge in biosafety, in line with the strategic role that Orion will play in global science. These activities reinforce and expand scientific cooperation between Brazil and Europe,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

The collaboration between CNPEM and VNL involves several different fronts. In late 2025, a member of CNPEM\u2019s biosafety team carried out a BSL-4 laboratory training in Hungary, and more training sessions are planned. Meanwhile, in the area of research the partnership is also growing stronger. According to CNPEM\u2019s lead Virology researcher, Rafael Elias Marques, the collaboration is strategic for scientific advancement and preparing for health emergencies. \u201cWe have established this partnership with two major focuses: training and joint research. It is an exchange of practices and knowledge that ranges from the discovery and characterization of new viruses to the use of advanced imaging technologies available at CNPEM.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elias also notes that the initiative is directly connected to the objectives of the Orion project: \u201cThis collaboration helps strengthen preparation for future epidemics and pandemics while simultaneously establishing CNPEM and VNL as strategic partners in this global scientific effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hungary\u2019s National Laboratory of Virology at the University of P\u00e9cs is home to some of the most advanced infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe, with the only BSL-4 laboratory in the region dedicated exclusively to research. Cooperation with CNPEM reinforces the integration between Brazil and Europe as part of a scientific agenda focused on biosafety and global health.<\/p>\n

\"BSL-4

BSL-4 laboratory at Hungary\u2019s National Laboratory of Virology,
at the University of P\u00e9cs ( Photo credit: VNL\/University of P\u00e9cs)<\/p><\/div>\n