Facilities to examine some of the world’s most dangerous microorganisms may seem unusual to mention as a unique selling point. Nonetheless, Copenhagen Science City partner University of Copenhagen is now planning to build state-of-the-art GMO level 3 laboratories at their Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and they expect the labs to become a magnet for research hot-shots as well as investors.

A battle against debilitating disease

The University of Copenhagen laboratories should be among the most advanced in Europe and will allow researchers to grow cells and work with viruses and bacteria in risk group 3, which means microorganisms that cause diseases like yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile fever, pandemic influenza, Tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis, MERS and Covid-19. Read full story here…

Last feature missing in unique building

A large donation from the A.P. Møller and Wife Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation for general Purposes has allowed the University of Copenhagen to establish the advanced facility in their Mærsk Tower. The tower was inaugurated in 2017 and is considered a world leading facility. The new labs are seen as a finishing touch.

The ambition with the Mærsk Tower was to ensure that Danish research had access to state-of-the-art biomedical research facilities. The new GMO level 3 laboratories will help Denmark recruit researchers at the highest international level within vaccine development and other related research areas. Areas with the outmost relevance given the dramatic development of the last year”: Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, Chair, the A.P. Møller and Wife Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation for general purposes.

Covid vaccines proof of concept

Smart investments in research and new knowledge pay off. That became evident with the quick turnaround from basic research to development of new vaccines against Covid-19. These vaccines are now paving the way for a reopening of Denmark and societies all over the world. It remains important to find new treatments and develop vaccines just as it will stay crucial to invest in modern and secure research infrastructure, which enables working with potentially harmful microorganisms.

It is fantastic for all researchers working with microorganisms and the immune system that we are now getting access to GMO level 3 laboratories at the University of Copenhagen. It is a visionary investment from the A.P. Møller Foundation, that makes it possible to elevate our research within virus and vaccines to the highest European level”: Henrik C. Wegener, Rector, University of Copenhagen.

Attractive place to invest

Back in 2017, when the Mærsk Tower was built, it was a part of the plan that even more advanced laboratories could be established within the building, among them GMO level 3 laboratories. This means that the physical surroundings of the new facility are top-notch and tailored for this.

The new GMO level 3 laboratories will be the finishing touch to the Mærsk Tower. It completes a research tower, which is already very visible far beyond the Danish Borders. Denmark is becoming an increasingly interesting collaborator in the international research environment and an attractive place to invest for large companies working with the medical challenges of tomorrow,” Ulla Wewer, Dean, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.