University of Minnesota Opens Infectious Disease Research Laboratories, Food Centric Corridor

September 28, 2016 — 

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine has opened a newly remodeled and expanded laboratory featuring state of the art scientific equipment. The renovations and new equipment enhance the University’s capacity to conduct infectious disease research with a focus on food animals, primarily swine. Roughly $2 million from federal, state and private sources was invested in the improvements.

The remodeled research space has over 3,500 sq ft of open access laboratories and shared equipment, and is designed to host collaborative research teams. The laboratories are equipped with the latest scientific equipment for sample processing, cell culture, virus isolation, serology, molecular diagnostics and bacteriology, and will foster the study of endemic and emerging diseases, food safety, antimicrobial resistance and the microbiome. The space is large enough to support up to eight principal investigators and 25 laboratory assistants.

The laboratories are part of the College’s Food Centric Corridor which is enhancing food security by promoting food animal health and productivity. The initiative seeks to attract interdisciplinary teams and equip them with integrated, modern analytical capabilities. The long-term goal is to address the challenges of food security and support the University’s drive to produce a safe, secure and sustainable food supply.

For more information, contact Dr. Montse Torremorell at torr0033@umn.edu