Advancing Science Through the Newly Launched BSL-3 Laboratory

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The School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences (SLMMS) has recently opened a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory within the Discipline of Medical Microbiology on the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine campus.

This advanced facility enables researchers to conduct cutting-edge work on infectious pathogens and strengthen disease surveillance in a high-containment environment.

The R2.5 million BSL-3 lab includes controlled-access - a requirement for any work involving hazard group three (P3) pathogens, which pose significant risks to laboratory staff and the environment. These include HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. The lab is designed for maximum safety, with entry restricted by two self-closing, self-locking doors. Scientists must check for changes in pressure, leaks, temperature variations or other potential hazards before entering.

Professor Musa Mabandla, Dean and Head of SLMMS, said it was gratifying to finally launch the lab, which will foster innovation and entrepreneurship among UKZN graduates. This aligns with a new programme the School is set to introduce in 2027.

‘There is growing emphasis on the impact of climate change on disease epidemiology,’ he said. ‘We are facing increasingly infectious zoonotic diseases and the emergence of novel viruses and bacteria. We must equip our students with the skills to tackle these challenges - through vaccine development and alternative approaches to outbreak mitigation.‘This new lab will also prepare students to become future lab owners, creating employment opportunities for the next generation of scientists,’ Mabandla added.

Professor Michelle Gordon, academic leader of research in the SLMMS, said: ‘We are thrilled to have a state-of-the-art laboratory that allows us to safely handle those pathogens previously excluded from our research and surveillance programmes. We are also excited about the opportunity it presents for collaboration with our national and international partners.’

Mrs Palesa Shemfe, Senior Technician and BSL-3 Lab Manager, and Mrs Zareena Solwa, Medical Laboratory technologist and senior technician, expressed their delight at the lab’s opening. Solwa noted that construction began in December 2024 and meeting the highest safety standards was no easy task.

‘None of this could have been achieved without the excellent teamwork and support we received from UKZN’s Safety, Health and Environment officer, Mr Bheki Cele, who played a crucial role in identifying hazards, assessing risks and guiding the implementation of safety measures. Our heartfelt thanks also go to UKZN’s Campus Management Services,’ she said.

Shemfe explained that the facility had to meet international safety requirements including:

- Directional airflow with negative pressure differentials
- Multi-Drug Resistant HEPA-filtered supply and exhaust systems
- Controlled access and anterooms
- The five Biosafety cabinets had to be certified to Class II or higher
- Secondary containment (all penetrations to be sealed including cracks in walls, gaps in light fittings)
- Waste decontamination
- Standard operating procedures and staff training
- Emergency power and backup systems

‘The lab must maintain a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius at all times, and air must be filtered before release to ensure it is safe for the environment,’ said Shemfe. She concluded by thanking the College of Health Sciences Management Committee, which provided the funding for the new lab.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Supplied