Access to Biosafety Lavel 2 (BSL2) and 3 (BSL3) facilities will be granted only to expert researchers authorized to operate in such facilities. External users either are authorized or internal personnel will be involved on a case-by-case basis.

Capability to address a range of viruses, including, but not limited to, HIV, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile, Usutu, HCV, TBEV, Influenza H1N1, SARS-CoV-2, and others to be established also upon request up to BSL3 level.

Investigation of infectious pathogens in their most native conformation within target cells or tissues. Examination of viral replication processes and the cellular response to infection in both cultured cells/organoids/iPS, patient samples or in vivo. Performance of functional screens with different strategies (RNAi, CRISPR/CAS9, dugs).

The BSL3 facility is equipped with the capacity to perform in vivo experiments in small animal models, to investigate pathogenesis and assess efficacy of antivirals and vaccine candidates. The facility is able to operate small animals like rodents (i.e. mice, rats, Guinea pigs, hamsters) and could host a very limited number of larger animals on a special case like ferrets for transmission studies. Animals are only used in research when there is no other suitable alternative available, with commitment to the principles of the three Rs (replacement, refinement, reduction).