A new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine “TURKOVAC” was developed in Erciyes University Vaccine Center BSL-3 Laboratory.

A new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine “TURKOVAC” was developed in Erciyes University Vaccine Center BSL-3 Laboratory.

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The Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL-3) was the first one among Turkish Universities. Currently, Professor Dr. Aykut Özdarendeli is the head of BSL-3 Lab.

Constructed by our company by completing the instalment and accreditation, the Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL-3) has come into operation to fundamentally carry out vaccine development researches, along with researching and conducting background studies for causes of current infectious diseases. The construction of BSL-3 Lab was started in September 2012 and the structural instalment and accreditation of the lab was completed in August 2013 in a time span shorter than one year.  Within the same period, the supply of inventory and consumable materials, which will be utilized in research and development activities in the lab, was provided. In order to perform studies in compliance with international standards and provide safe working conditions in BSL-3 lab, several documents regarding Standard Operation Plan (SOP) for BSL-3, risk evaluation practices and an emergency action plan was prepared and the lab personnel were trained regarding those subjects. 

Within 450 m2 usage area, The Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL-3) is designed to meet high biosafety requirements needed by researchers, equipped with gas-proof doors, the controlled access and entrance and a monitoring and recording system working non-stop. The ventilation system in the laboratory is designed with HEPA filter-exhaust fan to protect the environment and employee. The material entry to the laboratory is carried out though with UV sterilization boxes, while the exit of any type waste with double-door autoclaves. All liquid wastes coming of the laboratory are carried out by the thermo-chemical waste decontamination system, without creating any environmental contamination. The staff working in the laboratory continues their work in the laboratory by using personal protective equipment in international standards. The BSL-3 laboratory is accommodating essential areas including three class II biosafety cabinets, a double-door autoclave, storage and fumigation rooms, dressing rooms and shower at the entrance, as well as, containing tools and equipment with latest technology including a refrigerated centrifuge, a carbon dioxide incubator, high capacity incubators with rotating flasks, a deep-freezer (-20 degrees), a deep-freezer (-80 degrees) and a shaking incubator. 

In addition, there is an Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (Animal Biosafety Level 3; ABSL-3) in the system, where animal studies will be conducted on biosafety level 3. In this section, there are two positive and negative pressurized insulators for rabbits and mousse, as well as, a class II biosafety cabin where experimental operations could be performed in these animals. In this section, biological wastes produced by animal studies will be decontaminated through an autoclave and will be taken outside of the facility without causing any biological contamination. 

In order to provide customer support service for studies conducted within the Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL-3), the biosafety level 2 laboratory (BSL-2) equipped with modern laboratory equipment, including two class II biosecurity cabins, two PCR devices, one real time PCR device, ELISA plate reader, refrigerated and uncooled centrifuges, autoclave, pure water device and gel monitoring system, is also included in the system. The BSL-2 laboratory will serve as a base field for advanced molecular and biological research that does not required having a biosafety level 3. 

Established directly by the means Erciyes University and within the university, the Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL3), Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (ABSL3) and Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) Laboratory were audited and certified by TÜV SÜD Cleancert GbmH in August 2013.

Consisting of BSL-2, BSL-3 and ABSL-3, the integrated laboratory system of Erciyes University is the one and only BSL-3 laboratory in Turkish universities, which is certified to operate within the standards of the World Health Organization. It is the second laboratory in Turkey with BSL-3 certification, right after TUBITAK MAM, the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute which received it in 2012.

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