In the new S3 lab at Ulm University, with the second-highest safety classification, scientists will be conducting research on pathogens that can be transmitted by air, including corona, influenza and HIV. State-of-the-art systems and strict access controls ensure the safety of the staff and the public. The overall construction costs, including initial equipment and furnishings, amount to around 8.4 million euros. The building has now been officially handed over.
The Ulm University Medical Department is boosting its virology research with a second lab of the safety level 3, which was especially designed for working with dangerous or potential deadly pathogens. The anthracite–coloured building, which was erected within just eight months as a two-storey container structure at Ulm University, was officially handed over to its future users on Thursday, 11 January. In the high-security lab belonging to the Ulm University Medical Faculty, researchers are working under state-of-the-art conditions at safety cabinets and incubators and using special analytical devices for studying human pathogenic viruses.
Initially, researchers from the Institute of Molecular Virology at the Ulm University Medical Centre under the co-direction of Professors Frank Kirchhoff and Jan Münch will be using the facility, along with scientists from the Institute of Virology under the direction of Professor Thomas Stamminger. The researchers hope to find out how some viruses manages to move from an animal to a human host, and how the pathogens multiply and spread. Another goal is to be able to quickly develop tests, vaccines and therapeutics that can be used in response to new viral infections such as Covid-10, in the event of an emergency.
Strictly controlled access via an airlock passage
In the new S3 lab, numerous safety measures prevent the airborne pathogens from entering the environment. Access to the lab is strictly controlled and takes place via an airlock passage. A vacuum is maintained inside, and state-of-the-art ventilation and filtering systems as well as an autoclave are used. Staff members are specially trained and wear protective clothing and goggles as well as masks.
“The virus research at Ulm University has been among the strongest in the nation and worldwide for many years and plays a strong role is our excellence”, emphasised Ulm University President Professor Michael Weber at the handover ceremony. “To be able to perform work at this level, a modern S3 lab is essential”. He gave special thanks the Ulm University Medical Centre, which had taken responsibility for the construction, for the quick completion of the building project.
Ministerial Director Dr Hans Reiter represented the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts at the event. “With the new S3 lab in Ulm, the worlds of politics and academia have shown together that necessary research infrastructures can indeed be erected and put into operation quite quickly”, he related. The new modular building is also very energy efficient and has particularly low CO2 emissions. “The new S3 lab offers optimal conditions for significant and often life-saving research on infectious pathogens – so that we can be better prepared for future pandemics”.
Cutting-edge research at the highest level – for the good of society
Professor Thomas Wirth, dean of the Medical Faculty, also emphasised how essential this preparation is. The coronavirus pandemic showed us that “There are threats and risks that we were previously unaware of and underestimated. The S3 lab will enable us to push on with our cutting-edge research at the highest level – with results that will benefit society”. Professor Udo X Kaisers, chief medical director of the Ulm University Medical Centre, called attention to the high complexity of the new building.
Professor Frank Kirchhoff, who heads the Institute of Molecular Virology together with Professor Jan Münch, had been advocating for the construction of another S3 lab in Ulm since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. “We want to expand our research on HI and coronaviruses, but we can now also study other viruses”, says Kirchhoff. The ultimate purpose of the research is to develop broadly effective antiviral medications.
The establishment of the S3 lab was made possible by the financial support of REACT-EU “Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe” within the framework of the 2014-2020 Baden-Württemberg ERDF Programme (European Regional Development Fund) in the amount of 5 million euros. The EU funding was provided by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. The remaining costs of 3.4 million euros will be covered by the Medical Faculty at Ulm University. As part of the overall project management, the Ulm University Medical Centre took over the realisation of the S3 lab for the Medical Faculty.
Text and mediacontact: Christine Liebhardt