CMU launches a Bio-Safety Level Three Laboratory
Central Michigan University officially opened a Bio-Safety Level Three Laboratory in the Biosciences Building to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Oct. 6.
A Bio-Safety Level Three Laboratory (BSL3), is designed to help contain and control research performed on dangerous diseases, specifically level three diseases. A level three disease is one that is considered to be potentially deadly to humans.
Tuberculosis and COVID-19 are examples of level three diseases.
Since the Biosciences Building design began seven years ago, the BSL3 has since gone through several procedures to make sure its safety is up to code.
"It's been really time-consuming to develop all of the procedures and practices in terms of documentation that go into operating a level three facility," said Benjamin Swarts, chemistry and biochemistry faculty member working with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Required documentation includes meeting proper procedures for entering and exiting the lab, setting up the bio-safety cabinets, properly handling pathogens and more.
Swarts said a BSL3 lab on CMU's campus opens the door for many students and researchers.
"BSL3 facilities are pretty rare," he said. "University of Michigan and Michigan State University have BSL3 facilities, but they're not very frequently found, so they open up some unique research opportunities."
For CMU, this means working with the pathogen that causes tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It also allows undergraduate students to see the results of their work.
Before the lab met proper level three standards, students and staff were using non-harmful bacteria with tuberculosis-like features. They were not allowed to use Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogens because of the safety hazard. Now, along with some funding provided by the National Institute of Health (NIH) for equipment, the lab is up to code.
"Undergraduates work on (their) projects in the chemistry lab, but then they can see those projects translate into the pathogen itself, right down the hall from where they work," Swarts said.
Swarts said he hopes the lab will provide opportunities for new researchers to join CMU staff and contribute toward better understanding and fighting tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis bacteria have a thick outer membrane which makes them difficult to kill. Students, staff and researchers are working hard to create small molecules that can potentially disrupt the growth of this membrane, and prevent tuberculosis from protecting itself.
As of now, only trained graduate students and staff have access to the lab. This it to be sure everyone remains as safe as possible.
"Tuberculosis, last year, killed 1.5 million people, and that's the best it's ever been," Swarts said.
Tuberculosis is not as prevalent in North America or Europe due to their resources and strong healthcare infrastructure. However, the disease is common in areas such as South East Asia, Sub-Sahara Africa and South America.
"(Tuberculosis) is actually the leading cause of death by single infectious organism year after year," Swarts said.
The lab received samples of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Tuesday when it officially opened. Researchers have already begun to grow more bacteria for testing.
