Lab hacked! University of Oxford: No ripple effect on Oxford-AZ vaccine research

The University of Oxford yesterday (25) confirmed that Hackers had hacked into some of the instruments in the laboratory of the university’s Structural Biology department, while the Oxford University-AstraZeneca (Oxford University- AstraZeneca) research related to the Wuhan pneumonia (novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19) vaccine was not affected. AstraZeneca’s Wuhan pneumonia (novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19) vaccine related research was not affected. However, the “structural biology” department still conducted research related to the Wuhan pneumonia virus, and cyber security experts say that the laboratory was hacked, fearing the theft of research data and experiments were tampered with. The University of Oxford has informed the relevant government departments to investigate.

According to Forbes, a spokesman for the University of Oxford said the hack did not affect any clinical research and confirmed that the role of the hacked instrument was to purify and prepare biochemical samples such as proteins. These biochemical samples are made in the laboratory and are used for basic research. However, the spokesman also confirmed that these samples would also be used to conduct research on the Wuhan pneumonia virus.

Alex Holden, founder of the online investigation company “Hold Security”, provided screenshots of a number of hacked instruments at Fubishi, including what appears to be the operating interface of the experimental instruments that control the pump and pressure, and the screenshots also show that hackers have been hacking into the university’s laboratory system since the 13th and 14th of this month. The university’s laboratory system. Holden pointed out that the laboratory was hacked fear of the risk of theft of research data, hackers may also take advantage of the opportunity to wreak havoc on research, such as in the purification of experimental samples to change the flow of liquid and so on.

The Fubis pointed out that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was developed by the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, and the hack did not have a direct impact on the vaccine research, but scientists in the “structural biology” department were highly motivated by the hack. Structural Biology” department scientists are highly involved in the working mechanism of Wuhan pneumonia virus cells, how to avoid harm from the virus, and those involved in the development of potential vaccine candidates. In addition, Professor David Stuart of the department is involved in vaccine development at the Jenner Institute and was knighted late last year for his contributions to vaccine research.

The University of Oxford has contacted the National CyberSecurity Center (NCSC), a division of the British intelligence agency, to investigate the hack.