Improving testing capacity for animal diseases and food safety.
Official title: Purchase of a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction System to Maintain and Expand VetLIRN Capacity
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11066640 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping veterinarians test animals and food for harmful germs faster and more accurately, so they can keep both pets and people safe from illnesses like Salmonella and COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $27,096 |
| NIH project number | 1U18FD008364-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066640 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include veterinarians, animal health professionals, and public health officials involved in monitoring animal diseases and food safety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include those not involved in veterinary medicine or food safety, such as individuals seeking treatment for unrelated health conditions.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the ability of veterinary laboratories to quickly and accurately test for harmful pathogens in animals and food products. By acquiring a state-of-the-art real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, the project aims to bolster the diagnostic capabilities of the Ryan Small Animal Hospital Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. This will enable the laboratory to respond more effectively to public health threats posed by pathogens like Salmonella and SARS-CoV-2, ensuring better monitoring and surveillance of animal health and food safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health outcomes by ensuring faster detection of dangerous pathogens in animals and food products.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has demonstrated success in enhancing laboratory testing capabilities for pathogen detection, indicating that this approach is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cole, Stephen Douglas — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Cole, Stephen Douglas
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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.