The UP National Laboratory of Virology is about to undergo major development. Due to a recently won EU tender and more than HUF 1.2 billion support, their R&D activities and performance may increase, and their participation in national and international research networks can expand.
The global spread of infectious diseases poses a serious social and health risk for all nations. In all cases, national and international cooperation is needed besides solving local problems. In recent years, our country has also witnessed the emergence and strengthening of an increasing number of new infectious diseases posing a major threat to society.
The primary research area of the University of Pécs National Laboratory of Virology is the examination of so-called viral zoonoses transmitted from animals to humans. These pathogens can, in most cases, cause serious, even fatal infections, which is why the examinations require a high level of professional competence and suitable laboratory infrastructure.
The complex virology research unit involved in this tender is the only one in the country with laboratory facilities of all biosafety levels. Accordingly, it is possible to carry out biosafety level 2 (BSL-2), level 3 (BSL-3), and, as the only laboratory maintained by a university, biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory activities.
The HUF 1,252,000,000 non-reimbursable EU funding will enable the experts to carry out outstanding work in the detection of new emerging infectious diseases and to test for viruses belonging to risk groups 3 and 4 under BSL3 and BSL4 laboratory conditions. The tender also enables the establishment of an internationally recognized BSL-3 and BSL-4 education and training center, which will play an important role in postgraduate education.
Source:
PTE
Photo:
Szabolcs Csortos/UnivPécs