{"id":67,"date":"2017-10-19T21:23:42","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T21:23:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/research.unl.edu\/annualreport\/2017\/?p=67"},"modified":"2017-11-01T14:56:28","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T14:56:28","slug":"enhancing-protection-for-nebraska-livestock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/annualreport\/2017\/enhancing-protection-for-nebraska-livestock\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhancing Protection for Nebraska Livestock"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alan Doster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When farmers or ranchers discover scores of sick animals \u2013 as happened when porcine epidemic diarrhea virus decimated swine herds a few years ago \u2013 they need answers fast.<\/p>\n

Nebraska\u2019s Veterinary Diagnostic Center stands on the front line of disease outbreaks in the state\u2019s animal populations, from livestock and poultry to pets and wildlife. Early diagnosis and quick action are key to protecting Nebraska\u2019s multibillion-dollar livestock production industry.<\/p>\n

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Veterinary Diagnostic Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new state-of-the-art veterinary diagnostic facility improves the state\u2019s ability to keep animals \u2013 and people \u2013 healthy.<\/p>\n

Completed in 2017, the center features cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory for research and scientific services for foreign animal disease emergencies. The 40,500-square-foot building is four times larger than the previous center.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re often the ones to see new and emerging diseases. The new building gives us a lot more space to investigate the origin of new diseases,\u201d said Alan Doster, center director and professor of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences. \u201cIt also allows us to expand our applied research program and investigate diseases important to the Nebraska livestock industries.\u201d<\/p>\n

The center, the state\u2019s only laboratory in the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Animal Health Laboratory Network, works with producers, state and federal officials, veterinarians,\u00a0producers and wildlife personnel to diagnose and investigate animal diseases, which sometimes can infect humans and cause significant illness.<\/p>\n

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MALDI-TOF sample plate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Preparing a sample<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The center features a cutting-edge instrument that identifies potentially deadly bacteria within minutes instead of the several days required previously. The matrix-assisted laser desorption\/ionization time-of-flight, or MALDI-TOF, mass spectrometer is one of about 30 available at veterinary diagnostic laboratories nationally. It also supports the center\u2019s research on innovative diagnostic methods to detect virulent factors, or potential harm, associated with certain bacteria and to predict antibiotic sensitivity patterns based on specific virulent factors.<\/p>\n

University extension staff share space in the new facility, improving communication between diagnosticians and those routinely working with producers.<\/p>\n

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Researchers Dustin Loy and Kara Robbins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The facility also benefits veterinary students, providing additional classrooms and a new necropsy viewing space where they observe animal necropsies firsthand and learn what to expect as professionals. Space is available for the university\u2019s Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine in cooperation with Iowa State University.<\/p>\n

Approved by Nebraska\u2019s Legislature in 2012, the $44.7 million center on the university\u2019s East Campus was financed by donors and state bonds to be paid over the next 10 years.<\/p>\n