## 3 Results and Discussion  
We first briefed the two selected candidates about the specificities and constraints of the laboratory work, and then introduced them to good analytical and biosafety practices as part of their integration into the B-LiFE team. During the JITT program, the trainees were given time to familiarise themselves with the biochemical and molecular analyses performed daily in the laboratory. The first step was to learn the procedures for safe sample reception (Figure 4a) and use of different gloveboxes (Figure 4b-e), followed by how to work with hazardous samples potentially contaminated with the Ebola virus at various workstations, including virus inactivation in the glovebox and viral RNA extraction and amplification, and finally, data validation and transfer of results. In parallel, both trainees learned to safely and reliably carry out molecular and biochemical tests. The JITT program enabled the trainees to quickly acquire the necessary skills and become fully functioning members of the B-LiFE team, albeit with continuous but somewhat looser supervision. Within the framework of the JITT program, and from the time they were selected, including the learning and training phase, the two local operators actively participated in the lab's activities closely with the B-LiFE team members for a schedule of 7 days a week and 8 to 10 h per day for a total period of 75 days. Both trainees received certificates of attendance issued at the end of the JITT program (Figure 4f). Both local biologists performed over 900 analyses, including qPCR (\(n=459\)) on blood samples and swabs, _plasmodium falciparum_ rapid tests (\(n=112\)) as well as biochemical tests on non-inactivated lithium heparin blood samples using the i-STAT\({}^{\otimes}\) or Piccolo Xpress (\(n=259\)) (Figures 2c and 4e). A breakdown by EVD status of the total cases and samples analysed during the B-LiFE Ebola mission in Guinea is illustrated in Figure 5.  
Figure 4: Biosafety training and qPCR procedures. A double fence surrounded the laboratory, the first to control entry to the site and perform biosafety measures (temperature monitoring, hand and shoe decontamination), the second to restrict access to the laboratory staff. (**a**) Samples were received through a window in the internal fence. The training focused on handling Ebola samples inside a negative-pressure glovebox, (**b**) first under supervision and then (**c**) autonomously, (**d**) to prepare a 96-multiwell plate for the qPCR inside a disposable glovebox, and (**e**) to perform biochemical tests. (**f**) Certificates of attendance were issued at the end of the JITT program. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa prompted the implementation of automated diagnostic assay platforms, including the BFA test, to address the critical need to reduce turnaround times and enable POC testing while maintaining high accuracy and reliability. During the JiTT program, the trainees were tasked with testing and evaluating the ease of use of the BFA test for EVD diagnosis in the field, and to validate its use in laboratory tent conditions. Considering that this was a previously unknown procedure for the laboratory staff, only a limited number of archived plasma and urine samples were tested. To prevent unexpected biosafety issues, the tests were performed towards the end of our mission when the diagnostic workload had significantly decreased. During this limited time, we selected 16 archived samples (11 plasma and 6 urine) which were available for the BFA test. We devised a short preparatory study to familiarize both laboratory members and trainees with the analytical steps of the BFA test. During this learning phase, we used the BFA Respiratory Panel Kit (BioMerieux, Marcy-I'Etoile, France) to analyse a series of nasal swabs (\(n=3\)) collected from B-LiFE volunteers and stored in universal transport media (UTM) (Copan, Brescia, Italy). In addition, we prepared a negative control swab by exposing the swab to the laboratory tent environment.