Our containment level 3 (CL3) facilities support the UK's research on high-consequence viruses.
The UK's Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) classifies biological agents into hazard groups based on their likelihood to cause disease in humans, likelihood of spread, and the availability of treatment.
The Specified Animal Pathogen Order (SAPO) classifies pathogens based on their potential risk to animal health and determines which containment facility or "suite" is appropriate for handling those pathogens.
High containment laboratories are essential for carrying out both in vitro and in vivo experiments with infectious agents that pose a threat to human and animal health.
The core CL3 facility encompasses two laboratory suites capable of handling ACDP hazard group 3 pathogens. In addition, both suites are equipped to store and handle Schedule 5 pathogens, beyond their designated containment level.
These suites play a vital role in supporting the UK's rapid response to zoonotic disease outbreaks and have been instrumental in managing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global avian flu outbreak in 2021/22, the mpox outbreak in 2022, and the bluetongue outbreak in 2024.
Overview of the suites
Ground Floor East
This suite is suitable for handling ACDP HG3 / SAPO HG3 agents.
The suite comprises five virus-handling laboratories fitted with Class II and Class III Biological Safety Cabinets. Two of these laboratories are insect-proof and are specially equipped to conduct vector competence studies or any other in vivo study with insects at high containment.
The suite handles a range of arthropod-borne viruses, such as Alphaviruses (including Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV)), flaviviruses (including Dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)), bunyaviruses (including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Oropouche virus (OROV)), pox viruses (including mpox (MPXV)) and human and bat coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2).
Avian West Wing
The Avian West Wing (AWW) is an ACDP HG3 / SAPO 4 suite.
The suite contains a virus-handling laboratory, fitted with two flexible film isolators, a transfer isolator, and two Class III Biological Safety Cabinets.
AWW handles respiratory zoonotic viruses, principally Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Services provided
- Specialised in carrying out high-containment research with viruses of ADCP HG3 and up to SAPO4
- Design and perform experimental work in the CL3 research area
- Provide supervised training to staff who qualify for independent access to facilities for conducting research adhering to the importance of proper safety protocols and best practices for working in the high-containment laboratory facilities
- Develop and validate new tools, assays, and standard operating protocols applicable at high containment level facilities
- Assist with the preparation and review of documentation such as risk assessments and validation reports
- Training for in vitro and in vivo work with arthropod borne viruses
Team
The CL3 virology team consists of four experienced staff members who have extensive research and training experience in high-containment facilities.
Dr Naomi Forrester-Soto - Group Leader
Dr Berin Parambethu Varghese - Head of CL3 facility
Dr Victoria Sy - Postdoctoral Scientist
Samuel Richardson - Scientist
Contact
For enquiries regarding facility use for training opportunities, sharing facilities and expertise, or service work, please contact
Dr Berin Parambethu Varghese (berin.varghese@pirbright.ac.uk)
