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 (AviBact), AMPV, 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

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

Jessica Betts

Research Technologist

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

Full Bio for Jessica Betts

Ashley Marie Rivera Morales

Virology Research Technologist- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory

Areas of Expertise

Virology- virus isolation and cell culture.

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

Full Bio for Ashley Marie Rivera Morales

Michele Yon

Research Technologist

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

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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

Laboratory Technicians

Manoj Kumar, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Postdoc Researcher

Areas of Expertise

Data Integration and Research Design • Bioinformatics • Comparative & Functional Genomics for Pathogens (whole genome comparison, SNP/variant analysis, and pan-genome analysis; field vs vaccine strain differences) • Phylogenomics, Population Genomics & Genomic Epidemiology (strain typing, evolutionary analysis, and outbreak tracking of veterinary pathogens across One Health systems) • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (pathogen detection, genome assembly, variant calling, and diagnostic surveillance workflows) • Metagenomics (mixed sample analysis for pathogen detection and microbial community profiling) • RNA-Seq (e.g., differential gene expression under disease vs control conditions) • GWAS / Genotype–Phenotype Association (linking genetic variation with virulence, host specificity, and antimicrobial resistance) • Structural Bioinformatics (protein-level interpretation of mutations, motif analysis, and functional impact assessment) • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Profiling (resistance gene detection, gene cassette analysis, and surveillance in bacterial pathogens within a One Health framework) • One Health Genomics & Surveillance (integrating animal, environmental, and public health data for pathogen monitoring, transmission and disease prevention)