The Texas A&M Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s, TVMDL, small yet impactful Research and Development team is making large strides in advancing animal health. Since the section was established in 2021, it has developed 10 new PCR tests, providing veterinarians with clearer and more efficient answers.
The team consists of scientists Ellen Ruth Alexander Morris, Ph.D. and Bibiana Petri da Silveira, DVM, MS, Ph.D. who are led by Associate Director Kiril Dimitrov, DVM, Ph.D. Although the team collectively oversees the enhancement and development of multiple assays they share a commonality — furthering TVMDL’s diagnostic reach through new or better offerings.
Advancing diagnostic solutions
The R&D team was created to drive diagnostic innovation and to ensure TVMDL’s clients have access to the most efficient and accurate diagnostic offerings.
“By developing new assays, we are improving detection and helping veterinarians and producers make sure their animals are healthy, preventing the spread of a disease or are catching and monitoring for diseases before they can run rampant,” Alexander Morris said.
In addition to developing new tests, R&D monitors how well current diagnostics perform. Their work with next-generation sequencing (NGS) helps track changes in pathogens over time — information that can directly influence diagnostic accuracy.
“All the sequencing we do here helps us gain more information on the pathogens that are circulating,” Da Silveira said. “So, when we verify our tests, we look at those sequences and determine whether the assay works well with current strains or if the genotypes are changing and we need to update the assay.’”
The R&D team uses the data they collect to guide updates and improvements, ensuring that TVMDL’s clients have the most reliable tools available.
Additionally, the R&D team at TVMDL is prepared to act swiftly during critical situations. In the discovery of the emerging avian influenza strain in cattle, they helped gather information to defend the livestock industry.
“We are prepared and ready to respond when emergencies arise, such as pathogens crossing into different species,” Da Silveira said. “We have all the tools to quickly investigate new pathogens and respond by developing new diagnostic assays when needed.”
(Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife)
More targets, better answers
The R&D team routinely evaluates testing data and veterinary feedback to identify gaps in diagnostic coverage.
Pathogens constantly mutate and adapt as a means of survival. At TVMDL, testing strategies are continually refined to keep pace with evolving pathogens and emerging diseases. This means constantly evaluating the targets, or specific areas of DNA or RNA, tests can detect. Targets can be genes, exons, or even mutations.
“We might see some samples testing all negatives because the target was not being hit,” Da Silveira said. “When we add new targets, clients will have better answers.”
Using next-generation sequencing, the R&D team can evaluate the presence of unknown pathogens by exploring new targets. Once discovered, they can add selected agents to detection panels to meet current challenges in animal health and improve future testing.
“We add new targets to test for equine respiratory disease, canine respiratory disease, and chicken astrovirus,” Da Silveira said. “Before, they were not available for testing, so our work gives clients more options.”
Adding new targets makes testing more comprehensive and improves diagnostic accuracy. Veterinarians benefit from a broader, more effective tool for identifying the cause of illness, which can lead to more precise treatment.
Breakthroughs for animal health
As part of their ongoing efforts to advance animal health and strengthen future diagnostic tools, the R&D team explores new ways to increase test accuracy and efficiency for emerging or hard-to-detect infectious agents like Newcastle disease virus, NDV.
“The current assay, designed in the early 2000s, was designed to target one specific genotype,” Alexander Morris said. “That’s a lot of time for evolution of virulent NDV. That assay has been shown to have less sensitivity and specificity with some of the more prevalent currently circulating genotypes.”
To address this gap, the R&D team designed an assay that can detect multiple NDV types in a single reaction. In the research publication, they shared that this tool showed 100% sensitivity and specificity with real-world lab samples.
“Hopefully, in the future, this assay can be used as a tool for better surveillance for virulent NDV and better health in poultry populations,” Alexander Morris said.
Relentless in the pursuit of progress
The process of research is a long and winding road, entailing repeated trials and setbacks. Still, TVMDL’s R&D team meets every challenge head-on.
“Science is a journey that takes time,” Da Silveira said. “We are uncovering new knowledge and creating innovations, which is no simple task.”
The two scientists said that mistakes and failures are simply doorways to a conclusion.
“An approach might look really good on paper but sometimes, implementing it in the lab doesn’t work,” Alexander Morris said. “By learning from our mistakes, it helps things go smoother in the future, and learning from something that failed sometimes gives us an ‘epiphany’ we weren’t expecting.”
For the R&D team, the journey to a functioning assay is often filled with challenges, but the sense of accomplishment when things finally come together makes every setback worth it.
“It can be very difficult,” Alexander Morris said. “But through all of that, when it does work, when something does click — that feeling is 1,000 times better than all the frustration that happens along the way. There’s nothing like that feeling.”
Developing the future of diagnostics
Driven by discovery and not deterred by failure, the R&D team is the heart of innovation at TVMDL. By staying ahead of emerging pathogens and continually improving diagnostic tools, da Silveira and Alexander Morris are supporting clients and helping shape the efficiency of animal care.
Looking ahead, they are eager to explore new technologies, expand their test offerings, and contribute knowledge to the ever-evolving challenges in animal health. With these researchers on the job, even the most elusive pathogens are not safe from being unmasked.
The purpose-driven experts at TVMDL are essential to operational excellence and quality service. For information about the laboratory’s veterinary diagnostic services, visit tvmdl.tamu.edu or call the College Station laboratory at 888-646-5623.
