The Norwegian Directorate of Health has notified an audit pursuant to the Gene Technology Act at the Faculty of Medicine, 10-12 September this year. In preparation for the audit, research group leders must submit documentation by August 29 in accordance with the following points

1. Ongoing projects that have been applied for approval according to GMO (Brief overview of ongoing work with GMOs)
2. Overview of ongoing GMO projects that have not been applied for approval
3. List of persons who can be interviewed during the audit
4. Which rooms (Room number) are used for GMO work

Everyone should familiarise themselves with this page of the HSE Handbook: 4.4. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – HSE at K2 (uib.no)

For the daily work in the laboratory, there are four things you have to deal with:

1. That laboratories and facilities are approved for work with GMOs.
2. That there is a notification/approval for the work you are performing. The notification/approval must include a pre-assessment (risk assessment) of the contained use. A link to the notification form for GMM can be found here.
3. That the work is carried out in a safe manner. Each research group should have its own procedures for this work, based on its own risk assessment.
4. That a journal is kept of the work, and must be able to be presented in the event of an inspection.

For all activities involving GMOs, the principles of good microbiological practice and the following principles of good safety and hygiene in the workplace apply.

For questions, contact Siv Lise Bedringsaas (siv.bedringaas@uib.no)

New Deputy Director of Research

Professor Kurt Hanevik takes over as the new deputy director for research at K2. Kurt is a specialist in infectious diseases. He also has experience from international humanitarian aid and global health. He defended his thesis on research on the long-term effects of the Giardia epidemic in and has continued research on diarrhoea and related disorders. His experience and expertise will constitute a good addition to the leadership at K2.

Have a good weekend when the time comes!

Regards
Eystein Husebye