Molecular Diagnostics

The molecular section at the Animal Diagnostic Lab provides testing using state of the art equipment to analyze RNA, DNA and proteins in animal tissue and fluid samples. We offer several platforms of testing including real-time PCR, end-time PCR and next-generation sequencing to detect disease organisms for diagnostic and regulatory screening purposes.

PCR Testing Schedules at PSU:

MG/MS will be run Tuesday and Friday

• Samples received Friday through Monday will be tested on Tuesday
• Samples received Tuesday through Thursday will be tested on Friday

Coryza, IBV, ORT and BA are run Monday and Thursday

• Samples received Thursday through Friday will be tested on Monday
• Samples received Monday through Wednesday will be tested on Thursday

Mammalian PCRs are run Thursday

• Samples received Friday through Wednesday will be tested on Thursday samples received on Thursday will be tested the following Thursday.

Routine Diagnostic PCR

Mammalian Tests Offered

• BRSV
• BVD
• Bovine Herpes Virus Type 1 (IBR)
• Chlamydophila spp.
• Coronavirus (Bovine/Porcine)
• Leptospirosis spp.
• Mycoplasma (spp., bovis, hyopneumoniae)
• Neospora
• PRRS
• Parainfluenza Virus 3 (bovine)
• Porcine Circovirus Type 2
• Porcine Parvovirus
• Swine Influenza
• TGEV

Avian Tests Offered

• MG/MS Multiplex 
• IBV spp. 
• Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum ) 5 dry swabs per pool
• BA Turkey only (Bordetella avium) swabs in BHI 10 swabs per pool
• ORT Turkey only (Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale) swabs in BHI 10 swabs per pool

Section Supervisor

Mathias Martins, DVM, MS, PhD

• Assistant Clinical Professor
• Virology/Molecular Diagnostics Section Head

Areas of Expertise

• Classic Virology
• Viral Diagnostics
• Viral Pathogenesis
• Virus-Host Interactions
• Viral Vector-Based Vaccines

• Email mzm7324@psu.edu
• Office 814-863-0944

Full Bio for Mathias Martins, DVM, MS, PhD

Full Bio for Mathias Martins, DVM, MS, PhD

Laboratory Technicians

Rhiannon Barry

• Virology Services Manager

Areas of Expertise

• Virology- virus isolation and cell culture
• Serology- ELISAs and virus neutralization assays
• Molecular Diagnostics- Routine diagnostics as well as NAHLN regulatory testing assays

• Email rms347@psu.edu
• Office 814-863-5300
• Pronouns She/Her/Hers

Full Bio for Rhiannon Barry

Full Bio for Rhiannon Barry

Jessica Betts

• Research Technologist

• Email jyb5628@psu.edu
• Office 814-865-4642

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Full Bio for Jessica Betts

Ashley Marie Rivera Morales

• Virology Research Technologist

• Email abr6218@psu.edu
• Office 814-863-0837
• Pronouns She/Her

Full Bio for Ashley Marie Rivera Morales

Full Bio for Ashley Marie Rivera Morales

Michele Yon

• Research Technologist

• Email mly104@psu.edu
• Office 814-867-1648

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Full Bio for Michele Yon

Genomic Sequencing

Section Supervisor

Maurice Byukusenge, DVM, PhD, DACVM

• Assistant Clinical Professor

Areas of Expertise

• Molecular Diagnostics – Infectious Diseases
• Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases – Study Design and Data analysis

• Email mpb5554@psu.edu
• Office 814-863-1949

Full Bio for Maurice Byukusenge, DVM, PhD, DACVM

Full Bio for Maurice Byukusenge, DVM, PhD, DACVM

Laboratory Technicians

Manoj Kumar, Ph.D., M.Sc

• Postdoc Researcher

Areas of Expertise

• Data Integration and Research Design • Bioinformatics • Microbial Genomics • Comparative and Functional Genomics • Phylogenomics & Population Genomics • Structural Bioinformatics • Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) • Metagenomics • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) • RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq)

• Email mmk6053@psu.edu
• Office 814-863-7912

Full Bio for Manoj Kumar, Ph.D., M.Sc

Full Bio for Manoj Kumar, Ph.D., M.Sc

Paige Marie Murgas

• Research Technologist

• Email pmm5794@psu.edu

Full Bio for Paige Marie Murgas

Full Bio for Paige Marie Murgas

Lindsey Orchard

• Research Technologist

• Email lma20@psu.edu
• Office 814-863-9639
• Pronouns She/Her

Full Bio for Lindsey Orchard

Full Bio for Lindsey Orchard

More Information

• Current Fee Schedule
• Test Look-up Form and User Guide