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.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) PCR testing will be run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays

With the new schedule:

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

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 (Tuesday and Friday)
IBV spp.
Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum )
BA (Bordetella avium) pending approval
ORT (Ornitho bacterium rhinotracheale) pending approval

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

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Ashley Marie Rivera Morales

Virology Research Technologist

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

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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

Biological Data Integration | Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) | RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) | Comparative and Microbial Genomics | Metagenomics | Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) | Clinical and Diagnostic Bioinformatics