Center for Plant Health Science and Technology
CPHST Lab, Beltsville, Maryland |
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Location: Beltsville, MD |
The CPHST Beltsville Lab was established with two scientists in 1994 under the previous APHIS PPQ Methods Development Laboratory concept. In 1999, the Beltsville Lab became part of the newly developed Center for Plant Health Science and Technology. The Beltsville Lab mission is to develop, adapt, validate, implement, deploy, and use advanced biochemical and molecular methods for the detection of high consequence plant pathogens including the APHIS Select Agents.
The Beltsville Lab employs scientists with demonstrated experience and expertise who promote interdisciplinary collaboration within and outside of the Beltsville Lab, and who possess diverse professional backgrounds within the disciplines and associated disciplines of plant pathology. Scientists validate and simplify plant pathogen diagnostic methods prior to stakeholder release; develop clear standard operating procedures; conduct hands-on laboratory training for our end users within and outside of PPQ; and contribute to the CPHST diagnostics quality assurance program.
Programs at the Beltsville Lab utilize cutting-edge technology from the fields of plant pathology, molecular biology, and human and animal biochemical and molecular clinical diagnostics to develop, adapt, and improve methods for accurate and rapid diagnosis of plant pathogens. The Beltsville Lab strives to achieve timely delivery of cutting-edge technology that is field deployable and uncomplicated in its operation primarily for PPQ’s emergency response and eradication programs.
The Beltsville Lab not only deploys cutting-edge diagnostic methods but utilizes these and other methods for the accurate and rapid diagnosis and differentiation of high consequence plant pathogens that require federal confirmatory testing. The Beltsville Lab is the PPQ and USDA laboratory charged with the responsibility of molecular diagnosis of high consequence and select agent plant pathogens with non-routine status or for which operational methods have not been deployed (i.e., first U.S. detections or non-routine scenarios). The Beltsville Lab performs this function usually within 12-72 hours of receiving the sample. Technology for routine diagnosis of high consequence plant pathogens is released to stakeholders following Beltsville Lab validation, inter-laboratory validations, and hands-on training provided by the Beltsville Lab.
The Beltsville Lab is committed to quality in biochemical and molecular diagnostics. The Beltsville Lab is working to complete the necessary documentation, training and audits prior to application for ISO 17025:2005 certification and ISO certification as a Proficiency Test provider in 2008. The Beltsville Lab performs its work with a high proficiency level, and is proficiency tested in the operation of performed diagnostic methods. The Beltsville Lab conducts outreach to the plant pathology diagnostic community by supporting scientists within the National Plant Pathogen Diagnostic Network (NPDN), PPQ port and regional identifiers, the PPQ Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (MDL), and the state departments of agriculture in the detection of regulatory plant pathogens by providing SOPs, hands-on laboratory training, and diagnostic method troubleshooting.
The Beltsville Lab is a key component of the newly developing National Plant Pathogen Laboratory Accreditation Program (NPPLAP). Beltsville Lab staff is responsible for proficiency test panel development, delivery, and first-level evaluation of proficiency tests conducted by scientists who perform diagnostics on behalf of APHIS using CPHST-validated methods.
Recent Accomplishments
- Validated three conventional PCR methods acquired from ARS for the detection of Globodera species (PCN), and differentiation of G. pallida, G. rostochiensis, and G. tobacum. Developed a simplified nematode extraction method and real-time PCR assays for the specific detection of G. pallida, G. rostochiensis, and G. tobacum.
- Validated three real-time PCR methods acquired from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), one method developed by USDA ARS, and one published by the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) in the UK for detection of P. ramorum in response to a request by the National Plant Board to find new gene targets for detection. A transition to the new diagnostic protocol will occur in FY08.
- Developed a microelectronic DNA chip for the detection of plum pox virus and differentiation of its various strains (a scientific paper is in review).
- Improved the extraction protocol and PCR method for Asian citrus psyllids infested with citrus greening. The method uses a closed extraction system and the PCR uses a stable psyllid internal control to monitor the DNA extraction quality increasing confidence in PCR analysis results from psyllids.
- Conducted HLB detection hands-on training for scientists from SAGARPA in Mexico, Texas A&M University, and Arizona Department of Agriculture.
- Completed the third year providing SOD proficiency test panels distributed to 31 analysts representing 18 laboratories. Development and validation of a tissue-based SOD PT panel for FY08. Development and validation of a citrus tissue-based proficiency test panel for citrus greening (HLB), the first Select Agent proficiency test panel developed for distribution by NPPLAP in early FY08.
- Transition of operational diagnostics for PPQ to a new PHP lab (the MDL) through one-to-one training by Beltsville Lab of the CPHST diagnostics that are operational. Training provided for SOD, PCN, Citrus Canker, and HLB in FY07. Training in FY08 for PPV and RS.
- Beltsville Lab scientists serve on Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN) sub-committees for Methods Development, Accreditation and Quality Control Proficiency Testing, and Training. The ICLN is a consortium of 10 government agencies to promote common standards amongst all government diagnostic networks and improve the coordination of laboratory responses to incidents. Beltsville Lab scientists are contributing members of PPQ Task Forces; participate on working groups to develop recovery plans for the National Plant Disease Recovery System; serve as subject experts for professional journals and grant review panels for U.S. and international granting agencies.