Mobile Plant Diagnostic Lab

Written by Seth Watson

With the increased threat of bioterrorism to the U. S., national security measures regarding emergency preparedness and response have arisen. With this in mind, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed a mobile plant diagnostic laboratory. The operation goal of the mobile laboratory is to increase our potential of intercepting new or emerging disease problems before they are widespread. The Mobile Plant Diagnostic Laboratory is a 40 foot goose-neck trailer with its own power system, satellite communication, and molecular diagnostic tools. The 300 square foot facility has both clean and receiving laboratory areas, which include large capacity refrigeration components for processing and maintaining samples. The use of digital microscopy imaging allows for presentations on potential threats on indoor and outdoor screens. With these capabilities, diagnosticians can identify potential plant disease threats within hours of being on site. Other agencies can be notified via satellite with remote images for assistance with diagnosis or confirmation of the potential threat. When the mobile laboratory is not in use for detection of an agro-terrorism threat it is used as an in-field training facility for Nebraska crop producers and commercial managers to increase awareness of potential plant disease threats.

Lab Mission

To be a field triage lab as a first line of defense against an act of agroterrorism. The potential for an act of agroterrorism exists and could significantly impact Nebraska agriculture either in crop production or trade limitation. In addition, changes in pathogens can occur and result in changes in disease impact on crop production.

Sample Receiving Area

The sample receiving area is where samples are prepared for diagnostic analysis. This area provides the mobile laboratory with a sample preparation area that keeps soil, plant material, and insect pest out of the “clean” laboratory portion of the unit. The large refrigerator in this area is also a storage facility for sample that needs further investigation at the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

The rear quarter of the trailer is also used for storage of sampling equipment and other large movable components of the laboratory.

Digital Microscopy and Presentation Capabilities

Digital microscopy allows for visual identification and with the Mobile Plant Diagnostic Laboratory is used as a tool for presentations inside and outside of the laboratory. The microscopes are connected to the inside and outside screen areas to show disease symptoms to large groups without having them actually use the microscope. This allows large groups to be educated on principles of disease identification and for the presenter to better explain disease attributes.

Diagnostic Equipment

The Mobile lab is equipped with a real-time PCR machine. There are standard diagnostic methods developed which utilize real-time PCR for many plant pathogens. This allows for very rapid diagnostic tests to be performed in the field.

Remote Communication and Visual Confirmation

Many times the staff in the mobile lab will not be the experts. The latest technology is used to bring field or remote diagnostic problems to pest specific specialist in their own office.

The use of digital microscopy and a satellite communication system allows for the mobile lab to transmit images to specialist in the National Plant Diagnostic Network.

The Mobile Plant Diagnostic lab is equipped with an on-board Satellite communication system that is used for remote image diagnosis. The Satellite Internet system is used in conjunction with the Stereo and Compound Microscopes that are equipped with digital imaging capabilities. This tool along with a digital projection system provides us the capabilities to run presentations (indoor and outdoor), or projection of images from the microscopes.

Calendar

No events are scheduled at this time.