Increasing Vet-LIRN Testing Capacity at the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center

The objective of this Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Laboratory Response Network (Vet-LIRN) Diagnostic Laboratory Program is to build capacity and infrastructure to enhance veterinary related sample analysis capabilities for the FDA through cooperation with Vet-LIRN network laboratories. Specifically, testing capacity may be required in the event of animal food or drug related illness or other large scale animal food or drug related emergency events that necessitate large scale testing. Additional funding will support investigation and surveillance assignments of contamination or adulteration in animal food or drugs. Testing capacity and capabilities enhanced at the University of Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UNLVDC) will include microbiological analysis and testing of samples such as animal food or drugs, environmental samples related to animal foods or drug production, and/or animal diagnostic necropsy or microbiological testing of clinical samples. In the event requiring testing for biological testing of food or drug products, the UNLVDC will perform selected analyses of diagnostic samples collected and supplied to the laboratory by FDA or other agencies as required. Although UNLVDC lacks a dedicated toxicology section, UNLVDC can contribute to the overall mission through support of microbiological and pathological testing as needed. The overall goal of the cooperative agreement is to support, utilize, and enhance university, state, and federal veterinary diagnostic laboratory testing capabilities during case investigations and to bolster capacity and support research to enhance the national food safety system. The program will also be used to provide analytical data using standardized methods, equipment, analytical worksheets, and electronic reporting. Demonstration of competency will include participation in proficiency testing and other interlaboratory comparisons and exercises as available. Standard quality management systems will be enhanced. Small scale method development and method validation projects will be performed, as directed by the Vet-LIRN Program Office. Funding from this agreement will be used for supplies, testing fees, equipment maintenance, travel for continuing education, and personnel time.