Training
We designed tailored trainings in field and laboratory methodologies to all levels, for researchers, veterinarians and public health officers.
- Long-distance training courses using virtual reality
- Practical activity for oral and intrathoracic infection with risk group 2 viruses (usutu, sindbis, bluetongue) and risk group 3 viruses (dengue, Zika, West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, bluetongue, African-horse sickness, lumpy skin disease); evaluation of different methodologies, protocols, material and tools for oral infection.
- Handling infected arthropods under biosafety containment levels 2 and 3 (BSL/CL2-3)
- Dissection of organs including saliva collection, preparation of samples (homogenisation) for pathogen investigation and quantification, extraction of viral RNA or DNA.
- Lecturing in virology and laboratory practice
- Transmission cycle of arboviruses and their life cycle in the vectors; amplification of viruses in cell culture; evaluation of different cell culture with pros and cons according to the specific viruses; maintenance of cells; virus detection and quantification by molecular (real-time PCR, immunostaining) and cell biology (virus titration) tools.
- Morphological and molecular (DNA) identification of vectors (mosquitoes, Culicoides, sand flies)
- Discussion on the available identification keys and other tools (apps); assisting the use of keys for morphological identification; preparation of samples for their identification; extraction of DNA, PCR, data interpretation.
- Field surveillance and trapping of biting arthropods
- Evaluation of different traps available for collection of mosquitoes, Culicoides biting midges, ticks, sand flies, blackflies, horse flies, stable flies); localisation and characterisation of larval habitat and collection of immature stages; storage of collected samples.
- Access and working under biosafety containment level 3
- How to access and work in a BSL3 environment personal protection tools and assessing tools and barriers for arthropod containment; discussion of international standardised protocols and SOPs; management of solid and liquid waste; transport of infectious material across laboratories and outside.