Using MVRDL to increase the FDA Vet-LRN sample analysis capacity during animal food/feed emergency events

Project Summary
The Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (MVRDL) is a full service, AAVLD accredited,
all species, central reference laboratory. Our work force includes 10 faculty members (pathologists, poultry
veterinarians, microbiologists, virologists, and molecular biologists) and approximately 28 staff positions.
The Microbiology section personnel consists of a section supervisor (DVM, MS and PhD in Veterinary
Sciences) with more than 30 years of clinical and research microbiology experience, a laboratory coordinator
with 25 years of microbiology experience and two medical technologists with over 10 years of clinical
laboratory experience each. The section analyzes samples from approximately 3000 accessions per year from
which over 9000 procedures (aerobic cultures, anaerobic cultures, antimicrobial susceptibility tests) are
completed.
The Molecular Diagnostics section personnel consists of a section supervisor (MS and PhD in Animal Nutrition
and Veterinary Medical Science) with more than 7 years of clinical and research molecular diagnostic
experience, two laboratory technologists with more than 15 years of molecular diagnostic experience, and one
laboratory technologist with 1year of molecular diagnostic experience. The section analyzes over 2500
accessions per year from which over 6000 procedures (PCR and gene sequencing) are completed.
Through our participation in this collaborative agreement, we agree to participate in the three key project areas:
(1) Participation in FDA/Vet-LIRN sample analysis
(2) Providing analytical data for potential regulatory use
(3) Participation in small-scale method development, method validation and matrix extension work as
determined by the VPO.
The MVRDL participates as a source lab for the Vet-LIRN antimicrobial resistance and whole genome
sequencing projects.
MVRDL has the capacity and is willing to offer its’ services to increase the capacity of the VPO in handling
increased sample workflow during emergencies. MVRDL is committed to performing these services in an
efficient, accurate and timely fashion and to reporting the results to the required agency.

Grant Number: 5U18FD006165-09
NIH Institute/Center: FDA
Principal Investigator: Alejandro Banda