- The space was built more than 20 years ago but operated with a lower biosecurity level.
- The venue is scheduled to open in July.
- Now it will allow working with viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, carrying out vaccine or diagnostic trials, among other functions.
As part of its infrastructure, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is about to inaugurate a Biosafety level 3 laboratory. Its function will be to work with viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the current pandemic, vaccines against it, as well as highly pathogenic bacteria for humans. While the most important thing is that it is expected to be the first to obtain ISO 35001 certification in Mexico and Latin America.
Where is it located?
It is located on the premises of the Biomedical Research Institute (IIBO), in what was a biosafety laboratory dedicated to basic research, with 20 years of experience in handling infectious agents, especially tuberculosis. Although it followed high biocontainment standards, it lacked human clinical research protocols.
The coordinator of Scientific Research at UNAM, William Lee Alardín, stressed that the progress of research in drugs, control, surveillance and the evolution of epidemics requires this kind of infrastructure. In addition, in Mexico there were not enough places where these works could be carried out.
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Since the beginning of the pandemic, the University has been working to support international consortiums, in the development of teams, vaccine methodologies and analysis, as well as improving this space. In other words, a multi-front strategy for the benefit of society.
“Through the Coordination of Scientific Research and the Secretariat of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Mexico City (SECTEI) it was possible to have the resource to adapt this space, raise its level of biosecurity and put it at disposition of the community.
In this regard, the owner of the SECTEIRosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, commented that the unit in her charge supported the renewal with the mission of contributing to the study and investigation of this type of pathogens.
“We remember that with the H1N1 (Influenza A) pandemic we did not have a series of conditions and it was necessary to go abroad to identify the virus. This time we had to make important advances and it seems to me that it is a great advance in the research infrastructure on these issues, especially pathogens that require this level of security… The work here is for the benefit of UNAM, but not only for them , but for the other institutions in Mexico and the country”.
Imelda López Villaseñor, director of the IIBO, recalled that the space was built more than 20 years ago, but it operated with a lower level of biosecurity. This site is essential for teaching, research and service to the university community and the country. It will allow working with viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, carrying out vaccine or diagnostic tests, etc.
“When (the pandemic) started, a laboratory with this level of security was required, and we realized that it was necessary to remodel and adapt the space. Now we are ready to deal with research in the different areas of pathogens and when the next pandemic arrives, because we know it will come, we will be ready to give it a space where studies can be carried out, both basic and applied.”
In turn, the person in charge of Biosafety Laboratory level 3Clara Inés Espitia Pinzón, explained that the renovation project began with the pandemic because it did not work with the regulations that require the handling of pathogenic agents of the SARS-CoV-2 type, and facilities that would guarantee the biosafety of treatments aimed at humans. .
Start date of this new stage
The services that from July will offer the Biosafety Laboratory level 3 They will basically be aimed at production and evaluation of vaccines, in addition to research. There is interest in it being a service laboratory for the University, the health sector and industry, since today it has strict control over each piece of equipment, procedure, personnel, including supplies, explained the specialist from the IIBO’s Immunology department.
The researcher added that the start of work in the laboratory also establishes the opportunity to internationally certify the quality of each of the procedures, which is why it is expected to start the ISO 9001 certification next August and at the end of autumn obtain the 35001 of biosafety, with which it will become the only laboratory of its kind in Mexico and Latin America.
Espitia Pinzón commented that this certification of the Biosafety Laboratory level 3 It is a guarantee for international institutions, companies and health authorities of the quality and accuracy of the results obtained in each procedure carried out on site.