Brazil has made a leap in global health security with the launch of Orion, Latin America’s first maximum-security biolab for advanced pathogen research. Spanning 322,000 square feet, Orion is set to become one of the most advanced pathogen research centers worldwide.
Housing BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs — biosafety levels that dictate the degree of security required — Orion is equipped to handle some of the world’s deadliest viruses, including Ebola and Brazil’s own Sabiá virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever.
What sets Orion apart is its unique connection to Sirius — Brazil’s powerful synchrotron light source. This is the first time in history that a BSL-4 lab has been linked to a synchrotron, giving scientists unmatched precision to study pathogens at the molecular level.
Researchers will use cutting-edge imaging techniques such as cryo-microscopy and electron microscopy to explore how viruses and bacteria affect human cells, tissues and organs. This will significantly advance the understanding of how infectious diseases spread, ultimately aiding in the development of vaccines, treatments and diagnostics.
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The biolab is designed to speed up the development of critical health interventions, particularly in a region like Latin America, where emerging infectious diseases are a constant threat.
As deforestation continues to push human populations closer to natural reservoirs of unknown pathogens and climate change drives species into more populated areas, facilities like Orion will be crucial for rapid response and containment.
This state-of-the-art complex will allow Brazilian researchers to study local pathogens that were previously inaccessible due to a lack of proper containment facilities. Brazil will no longer need to send biological samples abroad for research. This cuts down on delays in diagnosing and treating diseases.
This self-reliance will also position the country as a global leader in infectious disease research.
Orion also emphasizes education and training, with a comprehensive program designed to teach Brazilian scientists and technicians how to safely work in high-containment labs like BSL-3 and BSL-4. This is a significant milestone for Latin America, as it strengthens the region’s ability to respond swiftly to health crises.
Developed in partnership with international institutions, this training program not only enhances Brazil’s research capabilities but also cultivates a new generation of experts who can work in some of the world’s most secure lab environments.
However, such a high-tech facility comes with its share of challenges.
Maintaining a BSL-4 lab is no small feat, as seen in similar labs like the Galveston National Laboratory in Texas, which requires around $12 million annually for maintenance and security alone. While these costs are substantial, CNPEM, the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials overseeing Orion, remains confident in securing additional funding and partnerships to ensure the lab’s long-term sustainability.
The Brazilian government has already committed 1 billion reais — about $180 million — toward Orion’s construction, signaling its importance in the country’s broader health and scientific strategy.
[KARAH RUCKER]
WHAT IF THE FUTURE OF FIGHTING THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST DISEASES WAS RIGHT IN THE HEART OF LATIN AMERICA? A GROUNDBREAKING NEW FACILITY COULD BE THE KEY.
LAST MONTH — BRAZIL MADE A SIGNIFICANT LEAP IN GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING LAUNCH OF ORION — LATIN AMERICA’S FIRST MAXIMUM-SECURITY BIOLAB FOR ADVANCED PATHOGEN RESEARCH.
THE ORION FACILITY SPANS AN IMPRESSIVE 322-thousand SQUARE FEET AND HOUSES BSL-2 — BSL-3 — AND BSL-4 LABS — MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED PATHOGEN RESEARCH CENTERS GLOBALLY.
THESE DIFFERENT BIOSAFETY LEVELS DETERMINE HOW SECURE THE LABS NEED TO BE — WITH BSL-4 BEING THE HIGHEST FOR HANDLING THE MOST DANGEROUS VIRUSES — LIKE EBOLA.
WITH THE FACILITY’S ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNIQUES RESEARCHERS CAN EXPLORE HOW VIRUSES AND BACTERIA AFFECT HUMAN CELLS — TISSUES — AND ORGANS — ADVANCING THE FIGHT AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
IN ADDITION TO ITS RESEARCH CAPABILITIES — ORION AIMS TO STRENGTHEN BRAZIL’S HEALTH SECURITY BY SPEEDING UP THE DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES — TREATMENTS — AND DIAGNOSTICS PROGRAMS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN A REGION THAT FREQUENTLY FACES EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
RESEARCHERS WILL NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO STUDY LOCAL PATHOGENS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY OUT OF REACH DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF PROPER CONTAINMENT FACILITIES.
ALTHOUGH THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY HAS EMBRACED ORION’S LAUNCH — THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE HIGH COSTS OF MAINTAINING THE FACILITY. SIMILAR LABS — LIKE THE GALVESTON NATIONAL LABORATORY IN TEXAS — REQUIRES ROUGHLY 12 MILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.
DESPITE THESE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES — THE BRAZILIAN CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN ENERGY AND MATERIALS — WHICH MANAGES ORION — REMAINS CONFIDENT IN SECURING ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS TO MAINTAIN THE LAB’S LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED 1 BILLION REAIS — AROUND $180 MILLION — TOWARD ORION’S CONSTRUCTION.
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