THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala’s first comprehensive Bio-safety Level-3 Laboratory at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) here has been approved by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, to carry out research activities involving live infectious organisms classified as BSL-3 agents, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.
RGCB’s BSL-3 modular facility has been set up at its new campus located at Aakkulam.
RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana said the new BSL-3 Lab will foster collaborations across industry, academia and clinical partners to develop novel drugs and vaccines against pathogens of regional relevance.
“The laboratory will also serve as a core platform to undertake ground-breaking research on zoonotic infectious agents and pathogen adaptations towards future pandemic preparedness,” he added.
