BIO has recently received new authorization from the Norwegian Directorate of Health for laboratories and facilities used for the contained use of genetically modified microorganisms on a laboratory scale.
BIO now has two authorizations, one for the A/B block and one for the Bio block (3rd, 4th, and 5th floors).
These authorizations apply to work with genetically modified Escherichia coli laboratory strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, eukaryotic cell lines, and microalgae (only for the A/B block). It covers standardized methods such as the construction of expression vectors for protein production and the expression of constructs in cell lines and yeast cells.
The HSE coordinator is now the responsible person for all approved facilities. This also means that the HSE coordinator is responsible for ensuring that users comply with the reporting obligation and that research activities are carried out in accordance with the reports registered with the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health requires that all experiments beyond our approval with GMM require notification (containment levels 1 and 2). If working with organisms that require higher containment levels (3 and 4), an application must be submitted. Researchers who intend to use other microorganisms or methods must contact the HSE coordinator to register a new notification or application via the GMO database of the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
Most laboratories at BIO are now reclassified to containment level 1. Only specific laboratories have retained containment level 2 and should be marked with a biological hazard sign. Work is currently underway to remove biological hazard signs from the doors of laboratories that are now reclassified as containment level 1.