Containment Level 2 and Level 3 laboratory hire

Secure high-containment laboratories for research, validation and innovation

We provide organisations with access to secure, fully compliant Containment Level 2 (CL2) and Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories, enabling them to safely conduct research involving pathogens, biological samples and sensitive materials.

Our facilities support the development and validation of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, analytical methods and biological processes within a professionally managed high-containment environment. Alongside specialist laboratories and scientific equipment, we also provide office space, meeting rooms and collaboration facilities to support project delivery.

Beyond laboratory access, clients can draw on technical and academic expertise to support experiment design, data collection, analysis and interpretation. Whether you require independent laboratory access or a fully supported project, we can help you generate robust scientific evidence, meet regulatory requirements and progress confidently towards validation and commercialisation.

For projects requiring additional specialist input, we can also offer our expertise in areas including infectious diseases, parasitology, epidemiology, healthcare and diagnostics, animal health, biotechnology, genomics and AI & data analytics.

Who is it for?

This service is designed for organisations that need secure, high-containment laboratory environments to conduct biological research, testing and development activities.

Typical clients include:

Biotech and diagnostics companies developing tests, assays and analytical methods
Pharmaceutical and therapeutics developers working on vaccines, treatments and drug discovery
Animal health and veterinary science organisations
Contract Research Organisations (CROs)
Research-active SMEs and scale-ups progressing products towards validation or regulatory approval

The service is particularly valuable for organisations operating at mid-stage development (TRL 3-7) that require access to CL2 or CL3 facilities to safely handle biological materials, generate credible data and satisfy regulatory, funding or commercial requirements.

Clients can access:

Fully compliant CL2 and CL3 laboratories
Specialist scientific equipment and laboratory infrastructure
Dedicated laboratory bench space
Office, meeting and collaboration facilities
Technical and operational support
Health, safety and compliance guidance
Secure, professionally managed facilities
Academic expertise in biological and biomedical research

From laboratory hire through to fully supported research projects, our service can be tailored to meet the needs of your project.

Benefits and value

Access Facilities, Expertise and Support in One Place

Combine access to high-containment laboratories with specialist equipment, technical support and world-leading academic expertise. By bringing facilities, compliance support and academic support together in a single location, we help organisations conduct research more efficiently while reducing the complexity, cost and risk of managing multiple providers.

Advance Research with Confidence

Progressing biological research often requires specialist facilities, robust governance processes and scientific expertise that can be difficult and expensive to develop in-house.

Our CL2 and CL3 Facilities help organisations:

Access High-Containment Laboratories Without Significant Capital Investment

Avoid the cost and operational burden of building, maintaining and managing compliant containment facilities.

Generate High-Quality Scientific Evidence

Produce robust, defensible data to support funding applications, regulatory requirements, product validation and commercial decision-making.

Accelerate Research and Development

Remove infrastructure barriers and gain rapid access to the facilities required to progress critical research programmes.

Benefit from Scientific and Technical Expertise

Strengthen the quality and rigour of research through access to experienced technical staff and optional academic support in experiment design, analysis and interpretation.

Navigate Compliance with Confidence

Conduct research within a secure, professionally managed environment designed to support safe working practices, regulatory compliance and good laboratory governance.

Progress Towards Validation and Commercialisation

Generate the evidence needed to attract investment, support regulatory progression and bring innovations closer to market.

The result is faster research progression, reduced operational risk and greater confidence in moving from discovery and development towards real-world application.

Choose your level of support

From laboratory access to fully supported research projects, our service can be tailored to your requirements.

Bronze
Access to CL2 and CL3 laboratory facilities and associated infrastructure for independent research activities.

Silver
Laboratory access plus technical support to help you work safely, effectively and compliantly within the facility.

Gold
Laboratory access plus academic expertise, experimental design, data collection, analysis, evaluation and reporting to help you generate robust scientific evidence and accelerate research outcomes.

Related expertise available

Alongside access to CL2 and CL3 facilities, clients may also be able to access expertise in:

Infectious Diseases
Parasitology
Epidemiology
Healthcare and Diagnostics
Animal Health and Veterinary Science
Biotechnology, biorefining, bioenergy
Genomics and Genetics
Data Analytics and Bioinformatics

This expertise can be incorporated into bespoke research, development and innovation projects where appropriate.

How to contact us:

Whether you need access to a secure high-containment laboratory, support designing a research programme, or expertise in analysing and interpreting results, our team can help. Contact us to discuss your requirements and identify the right package for your project.

Get in touch to arrange an initial discussion.

Email: vethub-1@aber.ac.uk

Our Experts

	Dr Amanda Gibson UKRI Future Leaders Fellow within the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis and VetHub¹. Dr Gibson is also VetHub¹ Lead at Aberystwyth University, specialising in infectious diseases, immunology and host-pathogen interactions. Expert in bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and infectious disease research Investigates how Mycobacterium bovis interacts with the bovine immune system during the earliest stages of infection Strong background in immunology, with specialist expertise in mycobacteriology Supports research focused on understanding disease progression and host immune responses Contributes to the development of novel diagnostic and vaccine technologies Works across multidisciplinary projects spanning animal health, infectious diseases and translational research
	Professor Glyn Hewinson CBE, FLSW Holds a Sêr Cymru II Research Chair and is Director of the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis at Aberystwyth University. Director of the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis Chairs the Technical Advisory Group on Bovine TB for the Welsh Government Ad hoc advisor to the World Organisation for Animal Health on bovine tuberculosis Member of the Godfray Review Groups (2018 and 2025), advising Defra Ministers on the TB Eradication Strategy for England Chairs the annual AberTB Conference, bringing together vets, farmers and policy makers Part of the UKRI-funded project developing a new tuberculosis detector for humans and animals capable of reporting results within one hour Involved in the Pembrokeshire Project and the equivalent North Wales bovine TB project Lead Scientific Advisor to the Welsh Government Animal Disease Testing Capacity Project Chair of Aberystwyth University's Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB)
	Jennifer Bunyan Laboratory and Quality Manager for VetHub¹, with a primary focus on the Animal Disease Testing Capacity Project. Laboratory and Quality Manager for VetHub¹ Leads laboratory quality and operational activities supporting the Animal Disease Testing Capacity Project Over 25 years of experience working in high-containment laboratory environments Extensive experience managing veterinary diagnostic services Former Laboratory Operations and Project Manager at Biobest Laboratories Expertise in laboratory operations, quality management and project delivery Supports the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality laboratory services within secure research environments
	James Goillau Biological Laboratory Manager for Aberystwyth University, working across VetHub¹ and the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis (CBTB) to support the safe, compliant and effective operation of high-containment laboratory facilities. Biological Laboratory Manager, supporting high-containment facilities across the University Based within VetHub¹ and the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis Acts as the University's Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Safety Advisor and Biological Safety Officer (BSO) Previously held roles as CL3 Laboratory Manager and Health, Safety & Biosafety Advisor at The Pirbright Institute Experienced in managing specialist high-containment laboratory facilities and regulatory compliance Oversees the operation and readiness of CL2 and CL3 laboratories for teaching, research and commercial activities Provides specialist advice on the safe handling, storage, containment, disposal and transportation of biological and genetically modified materials Supports compliance with SAPO, COSHH and GMOCU requirements and wider health, safety and environmental governance Develops and delivers specialist biosafety and compliance training Leads laboratory inspections, investigations and continual improvement activities to strengthen laboratory safety and operational standards
	Dr Bev Hopkins Veterinary Research Associate at the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis (CBTB). Former Lead Veterinary Disease Investigator at the Wales Veterinary Science Centre Conducted disease surveillance post-mortem examinations and badger post-mortems as part of the All Wales Badger Found Dead Study Experienced in veterinary disease surveillance and investigation Lecturer on the Veterinary Bioscience and Veterinary Science degree programmes Facilitates collaboration with farmers and veterinary surgeons across Wales Supports research and knowledge exchange across animal health and bovine tuberculosis initiatives
	Dr Hefin Jones Researcher within the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis (CBTB) Supports research investigating the role of immune responses in persistent bovine tuberculosis infections Contributes to laboratory studies focused on bovine tuberculosis and disease progression Part of the Aberystwyth University team contributing to a UKRI-funded project developing a new tuberculosis detector for humans and animals capable of delivering results within one hour Supports research activities spanning infectious disease, immunology and tuberculosis diagnostics
	Dr. Amy Healey Post-doctoral researcher at the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis (CBTB), supporting the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) monitoring of Mycobacterium bovis. Supports Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) monitoring of M. bovis Uses genomic data to investigate epidemiologically relevant transmission dynamics Works to identify functional and adaptive genomic variation in M. bovis Contributes to the Pembrokeshire and North Wales bovine tuberculosis projects Provides routine WGS surveillance to support project objectives Specialises in applying genomic approaches to bovine tuberculosis research and disease monitoring