A laboratory at the IQAC-CSIC obtains the biosafety level 2 accreditation

The Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) has obtained the biosafety level 2 accreditation for one of its laboratories, which allows the laboratory to work with biological agents classified in the risk group 2.

Facilities of the laboratoryBiological containment level 2 (NBS2) laboratories are generally required to work with any derivative of human blood or other primates, body fluids (especially when they are visibly contaminated with blood), cell lines, or tissues in which has uncertainty about the presence of an infectious agent.

The Nanobiotechnology for Diagnosis (Nb4D) research group, led by Dra. M. Pilar Marco, focus the research on the development of biomarkers for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Nowadays, the group participates in five research projects related to this topic.

These projects involve working with clinical samples for the detection of the pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram - type bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram + type bacteria), both classified in risk group 2.

Also, the group participates in the COVID project "Point-of-care tests for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 (POC4CoV)", funded by the CSIC. This project involves the handling of swabs and serum samples from both positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 patients. CSIC researcher Lluïsa Vilaplana has coordinated the process to transform one of the IQAC-CSIC laboratories into an accredited laboratory to work with biological risk samples 2.

The laboratory has an antechamber or clean locker room, a card-controlled entry system and a space for the storage of materials and reagents. It has also an independent air conditioning system, a specific air renewal system and a biosafety cabin type 2A, with HEPA filter. In addition, it is equipped with a suitable lighting system, an emergency lighting system and a large observation peephole on the door.

In addition to this specific equipment, the laboratory is equipped with an inverted microscope, centrifuge, thermostatic bath, stirrers, incubators, refrigerator and autoclave for sterilization and waste management.

 

 

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