Enhancing Vet-LIRN capacity to rapidly detect pathogens in Virginia
Official title: Vet-LIRN, Enhancement of Capacity of Response to Veterinary Microbiological Investigations in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Funded at VA St Dept/ Agriculture & Consumer Srvs · NIH-11376754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant helps Virginia's animal health lab improve fast, accurate pathogen detection in animals, feeds, and related products to support safer animal and public health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA St Dept/ Agriculture & Consumer Srvs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $30,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U18FD006170-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient recruitment; this is a laboratory capacity enhancement.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation; the grant funds lab infrastructure and capabilities.
What this research studies
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requests support to upgrade the Lynchburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory’s ability to quickly detect and identify pathogens. The project builds on Vet-LIRN participation and ISO 17025–accredited testing, integrating reporting tools to speed case investigations. The goal is to enable rapid testing and data sharing for animal health, food safety, and drug traceability within Virginia and beyond. The work focuses on improving laboratory workflows, testing capabilities, and data communication to support timely responses to potential adulteration or contamination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to faster and more reliable detection of pathogens in animals and animal-related products, improving animal and public health response.
How similar studies have gone: Previous Vet-LIRN member labs have demonstrated proficiency in rapid testing and accreditation, supporting the approach.
Where this research is happening
-
VA St Dept/ Agriculture & Consumer Srvs
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walters, Jessica N. — VA St Dept/ Agriculture & Consumer Srvs
- Study coordinator: Walters, Jessica N.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.