University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory participation in Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network

Title: University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory participation in Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network Project Abstract This proposal is to request funding to continuously support the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UI VDL) to participate in the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) program. The UI VDL is a full-service American Association of Veterinary Diagnosticians-accredited state laboratory and is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and Vet-LIRN program. The lab has been in the Vet-LIRN program since 2017 and currently serves as a core source lab for the program. The lab commits to continuously participate in all Vet-LIRN-directed activities, which includes 1) responding to animal food or drug-related illnesses, 2) detecting multi-drug resistant bacteria and newly emerging viral pathogens, and 3) improving and validating diagnostic approaches. The funding will be utilized to maintain equipment and to purchase the required materials for conducting Vet-LIRN-related projects and research projects in microbiology. The well-equipped and staffed UI VDL is delighted to fuel our efforts to benefit research in veterinary science and the goals of One Health.