TABLE 1.

Major laboratory activities and experimental tasks performed by medical, diagnostic, and scientific research laboratory workers in context of SARS-CoV-2.

BSL-2 with additional personal protective equipment (PPE): handling patient samples, e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs, saliva, gargle solutions

Performance of diagnostic tests (PCR, antigen)

BSL-3 with additional PPE: propagative virus samples, virus cultivation, in vitro assays

Development and validation of diagnostic tests (PCR, antigen)

Evaluation of virus properties

Stability on various materials, porous (masks, fabrics) and non-porous (metal, synthetic material, coatings, nanomaterial)

Development of novel decontamination approaches

Efficacy of disinfectants

Reduction of environmental risks

Decontamination of PPE, laboratory devices, utility items

Development of re-use processes for PPE

Basic scientific questions investigating immunology and virology of SARS-CoV-2

Investigation of virus behavior in cell lines and animal models

Drug and Vaccine development

Assays for virus inhibition with various substances, drugs, repurposing of already approved medicines, convalescent plasma, (artificial) antibodies, natural substances, vaccine candidates in cell culture and animal models

Experimental approval procedures for substances and vaccines to fulfill regulatory requirements for subsequent clinical trials

Preparation of various in vitro results for diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine clinical trials for patients

Autopsies

Investigation of distribution and impact of the virus on the whole body and various tissue types

Sample preparation and comprehensive tissue analyses to investigate virus-induced cell and tissue damages

Evaluation of comorbidities

Basis for rapid and fact-based risk management for decision about preventive measures

Biobanking

Acquisition, storage and management of patient’s specimens (BSL-2 and BSL-3) and samples cultivated therefrom (BSL-3)