Rapid Response PCR Surge Framework for Emerging Foodborne and Zoonotic Pathogens
Official title: Building a Rapid Response PCR Surge Framework for Emerging Foodborne and Zoonotic Pathogens
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11528687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Wisconsin lab-led effort to create a rapid, scalable PCR testing framework to handle sudden outbreaks of foodborne and animal-to-human pathogens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $70,340 |
| NIH project number | 1U18FD008905-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to individual patients; related benefits may accrue to communities and animal health through quicker outbreak response.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not part of this grant.
What this research studies
This project aims to build a formal, high-throughput PCR testing framework at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to rapidly surge testing capacity during large animal food contamination or zoonotic outbreaks. It leverages pre-validated molecular workflows and existing BSL-3, automated systems, and a trained team to shorten response times. The work connects routine diagnostic testing with emergency response, enabling faster assay validation and regulatory decisions during crises. If successful, the framework could improve outbreak containment and protect animal and public health. The effort aligns with Vet-LIRN priorities and NAHLN networks to expand national surge capacity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to faster identification and containment of outbreaks, protecting animals, people, and the food supply.
How similar studies have gone: Past surge-capacity efforts during emergencies demonstrated that pre-validated workflows enable quicker responses, though this specific framework is novel for non-program pathogens.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lim, Ailam Lee — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Lim, Ailam Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
BRAVE Innovation Center for Viral Resistance in Chickens
A center at UW–Madison aims to create chickens genetically resistant to avian viruses like H5N1 by identifying host genes involved in virus replication using genome-wide CRISPR screening.
-
Center to Fight Vector-Borne Diseases in the Midwest
A Midwest program brings researchers, public health teams, and vector-control groups together to prevent diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes.
-
Globally useful predictor for cervical cancer treatment response
This project aims to develop a simple predictive signature to personalize treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer using easy tests and imaging.
-
Neutrophil development with stem cells to understand their behavior
Researchers are studying how neutrophils, a type of immune cell, develop from stem cells to better understand why they can help or harm in infections and inflammatory diseases.
-
WREN: Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics
A nationwide network in Wisconsin will strengthen rural primary care clinics to participate in real-world research and bring more clinical trials to communities.
-
Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
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.