THEMicrobiological Safety Unit (USMUSM is an applied research laboratory at the Pasteur Institute of Lille, founded in 2003 by Dr. Michèle Vialette, a microbiologist and hygiene specialist. Wherever microbiological risk exists, the team provides its microbiological expertise to those involved in innovation. Having always worked closely with industry, USM is a true center of expertise dedicated to contamination control.
The fundamental scientific focus of this team is the description of the relationship between the microorganism and its environment, and in particular the evaluation of its behavior in different stressful environmental settings.
Evaluation of air, surface and water disinfection systems
Thanks to its adapted facilities and unique expertise, the USM can recreate contaminated environments at various scales in the laboratory to test pilot systems or devices for disinfecting air, surfaces, or water under controlled conditions. These environmental simulations allow for the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of these processes in reducing microbial populations.
Standardized assessment of antimicrobial efficacy
USM performs standardized evaluations of the antimicrobial activity of products and devices, according to the applicable standards.
- Human coronavirus 229E
- bronchiolitis virus (RSV)
- influenza virus (H1N1)
- rotavirus
- herpes virus
Tests performed on reference microorganisms, including:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Escherichia coli
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
Microbiological analyses
USM performs comprehensive microbiological analyses, adapted to different types of supports and matrices:
- Suspension
- Surface
- Functionalized textile
- DSVA (pill-shaped)
Microbial contamination counts in products, Bioburden tests and challenge tests:
- NF standards
- ISO
- European Pharmacopoeia
Environmental microbiological controls:
- Water
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Hospitallers
Sterility testing according to the European Pharmacopoeia.
Scientific valorization
- Scientific publications: co-authors of articles in international journals.
- Expert committees: active involvement with national health authorities.
- Private sector partnerships: large industrial groups, SMEs, start-ups (textile, health, water, air sectors…).
- Public sector partnerships: hospitals, Inserm…
All our protocols can be modified to suit the needs of a particular situation. Thanks to its research laboratory expertise, the Microbiological Safety Unit is particularly adaptable to different situations. If an analysis requires it, the team will be able to offer you a customized study, uniquely tailored to your specific requirements.
The Microbiological Safety Unit supports public and private stakeholders facing the challenges of controlling microbiological risk.
Whether you are an industrial company, a start-up, a healthcare facility or a public body, USM puts its scientific expertise and experimental capabilities at the service of your projects.
Collaborating with the Microbiological Safety Unit
Do you have a specific need?
You wish :
- evaluate the effectiveness of a disinfection device (air, surfaces, water),
- to test the antimicrobial activity of a product or process,
- to perform microbiological analyses according to regulatory standards
- design a customized study, adapted to your constraints and environment.
The USM teams work with you to build a personalized scientific response, based on rigorous protocols and adapted to your objectives.
Develop a scientific partnership
USM is part of a dynamic of collaboration and co-construction, at the interface of research, innovation and industrial applications.
We work with:
- companies (large groups, SMEs, start-ups),
- actors in public research,
- healthcare facilities and institutions.
Contact Us
Michèle VIALETTE
Head of the Microbiological Safety Unit
