Launch of the Virology Dictionary: a strategic resource for health and biosafety terminology
TERMCAT and the Department of Health have presented the Virology Dictionary, featuring more than 330 specialized terms and a strong focus on biosafety—a highly valuable resource for research, training, and biological risk management activities at the UAB.
TERMCAT, the Centre for Terminology, and the Department of Health of the Catalan Government have published the Virology Dictionary, an online reference work that compiles more than 330 specialized terms related to virology, the mechanisms of interaction between viruses and hosts, and the ecological contexts in which these interactions occur. The new publication includes a specific section dedicated to biosafety and biocontainment, essential aspects for research involving biological agents in university laboratory facilities.
The dictionary has been developed with the support of experts from leading institutions such as IRTA-CReSA, CRAG, and the Faculty of Biology of the University of Barcelona, and follows the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, plant, and environmental dimensions in the management of biological risk. This approach is fully aligned with the prevention and safety policies implemented at the UAB.
Each entry includes the Catalan term along with its Spanish, French, and English equivalents, as well as precise definitions and contextual notes. The inclusion of key concepts such as biosafety level, sentinel species, or viroid facilitates the harmonization of terminology used in risk assessments, operational protocols, teaching activities, and internal biosafety training.
The Virology Dictionary is part of TERMCAT’s Online Dictionaries collection, integrated into the thematic portals for health and life sciences terminology, enhancing access to scientific knowledge in Catalan and supporting consultation by the university community.
The dictionary can be accessed online through TERMCAT: