Containment Level 3 Platform

 

Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Containment Level 3 (CL3) Technology Platform  

 

The Containment Level 3 (CL3) Platform has three independent research pods that meet the highest safety standards defined by Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines (PHAC). The facility is available to RI-MUHC researchers, affiliated collaborators and external researchers whose work requires a facility where properly trained users can manipulate various pathogenic organisms (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2). Users of the CL3 Platform must follow the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as defined in the platform’s SOP manual.

 

POD1 CL3 facility: Two laboratories (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2) and an animal holding room.  

POD 2 CL3 facility: One laboratory (SARS-CoV-2) and an animal holding room

POD3 CL2+ facility: Two laboratories (CL2+ pathogens)

 

The RI MUHC CL3 Technology Platform must follow strict adherence to procedure, once a set of investigations is approved, the facility manager will oversee training and provide both guidance to researchers and monitoring of experiments.

For further information on the RI MUHC CL3 TB Platform, please contact Fiona McIntosh, Platform manager, at: 514-934-1934 Ext. 44619

 

Access Guidelines:

 

For all new projects requiring use of the CL3 Platform facilities, investigators must complete the Application to Use Biohazardous Materials form and submit this document to Environmental Health (EHS) and Safety via email (ri.ehs@muhc.mcgill.ca) for review and approval. EHS will determine if the project requires access to the CL3 Platform. The CL3 Platform will grant access based on space and resources availability. Appropriate training will be provided by the assigned POD supervisor. Note: Due to this reorganization, current and past users may need to amend their Biohazardous Materials form with updated protocols. They may also be required to take “refresher” training to ensure SOPs used in the Platform are of high standard and are consistent with PHAC guidelines. 

 

• Users must have an iLab account. Sign up for a new account using the link in the upper right hand corner, or click here. For help with the registration process follow the how-to instructions here. Need a password? Reset your password here.

 

• Once EHS has approved your project and confirmed that all applicable documents and RIMUHC biosafety training have been completed, an email will be sent to the appropriate CL3 supervisor and you will be contacted to start CL3 training. Prior to training, applicants must read the Canadian Biosafety Handbook (English or French), the Canadian Biosafety Standards (English or French), and the RIMUHC CL3 Facility Standard Operating Procedures.  Once this reading has been completed the hands on training and supervision period will begin.

   

 

• Visit the Customer Help Manual for further guidance using iLab's Core Facility Services.

 

Managment:

 

Director: 

 

Dr. Marcel A. Behr

Research Insitute of the McGill University Health Centre

1001 Blvd. Decarie, Room EM3-3212

Montreal QC, H4A 3J1

Phone: 514 934-1934 (42815)

 

email: marcel.behr@mcgill.ca

website: 

      McGill International TB Centre

 

           

Manager:  

   

Fiona McIntosh
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

1001 Blvd. Decarie, Room EM3-3211

Montreal QC, H4A 3J1

phone: 514-934-1934 Ext.44619

Supervisors:  

 

   POD1 (TB/SARS-CoV-2-CL3): Andréanne Lupien

   POD2 (SARS-CoV-2-CL3):Marianna Orlova

   POD3 (CL2+): Marianna Orlova

 

 

Location and hours of operation

 

Hours	Location
Always open	1001 Blvd. Decarie ES2-6000 Montreal QC H4A 3J1

Links and Resources

 

Containment Level 3 at the MUHC Research Institute

RIMUHC Technology Platforms website 

Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines