LAHORE: The Punjab University has completed a state-of-the-art project of establishing bio-safety level 3 (BSL 3) laboratories at Centre for Applied Molecular Biology as part of its initiatives to cope with Covid-19.

The BSL 3 laboratory, which is a minimum standard to do research on infectious agents which are transmittable through air and cause potentially lethal infections, has been set up at PU to perform Covid-19 diagnostic tests in a safer environment and study various aspects of corona virus and other toxins. BSL 3 lab helps prevent spread of any virus during experiments and study and can be decontaminated easily. The university administration had last year advertised its tender and the facility has been established at a cost of Rs 180 million.

Talking to Dawn, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed said that PU administration had last year announced to establish the BSL 3 lab keeping in view its advantages and finding it necessary to study behavior of viruses in a safer atmosphere.

He said the PU scientists would do research on various aspects of Covid-19, including its control, prevention and treatment.He said all the work would be performed in a bio-contaminated environment using appropriate engineering controls.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2021