Laboratory Research

USF CBD Applied Research Laboratory

Early recognition of biological agents indicative of a BT event or emerging infectious disease outbreak is essential to institute public health measures. Rapid identification and characterization (including molecular typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing) of biological agents form the basis for the applied research at the USF CBD. The USF CBD maintains a culture collection in excess of 1200 strains of potential BT and related agents, and assays being developed by the USF CBD employ the most advanced commercially available technology suitable for rapid screening of large numbers of clinical and environmental samples. Automated real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been developed in cooperation with the Florida Department of Health Tampa Branch Laboratory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Molecular typing procedures to rapidly identify and speciate classic bioterrorism pathogens, foodborne bacteria and emerging infectious disease agents have been developed.

Scientists at the USF CBD are active in various validation studies and the evaluation of new techniques and devices. Biological and chemical agent detection kits and technology including spectrophotometry and novel detectors have been evaluated by the USF CBD. Decontamination devices such as microbiocidal agents, electrofiltration systems, ionization technology and UV/HEPA filtration have all been assessed by USF CBD scientists.

Click here for a detailed description of all available services and capabilities in the USF CBD Applied Research Laboratory.

Virology & Global Health Infectious Disease Research Laboratory (GHIDR)

The Global Infectious Diseases Research (GHIDR) Section of the Center for Biological Defense is located in a secured floor of a research building at the University of South Florida that was constructed in 2005. The laboratories contain over 15,000 square feet of BSL2 and BSL3 laboratory space. The facilities include state of the art ABSL2 and ABSL3 facilities for animal research on infectious agents, as well as a fully equipped BSL3 tissue culture suite. The BSL3 facility is certified for research on select agents.

Some of the equipment available to investigators in the GHIDR labs include automated liquid handling, conventional and real time PCR, pyrosequencing for SNPs, Luminex™, fluorescent microscopy, multimode plate reader and image capture and processing instrumentation. We have expertise in the subcloning and expression and purification of recombinant proteins and creation of baculovirus and adenovirus recombinants.

Scientific Expertise and Laboratory Capabilities

1. Culture, molecular biology, efficacy testing, target identification/validation, lead optimization, small animal models and translational research on emerging infectious agents with significant global health impact to include viruses (influenza, dengue, rhinoviruses, herpes, West Nile Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis viruses, etc.) and parasites (apicoplasts-malaria, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and nematode- filariasis).
2. Automated and semi-automated assay and assay development for screening natural compounds and small molecules for anti-viral activity and cytotoxicity.
3. Nucleic acid and immunochemical diagnostic assay development and validation.
4. Recombinant protein expression and purification in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
5. Small animal model evaluation of vaccine candidates.

We welcome inquiries concerning the potential of developing collaborative research programs in any of the areas described above. Click here for a detailed description of all available services and capabilities in the Virology Laboratory.

 

Advanced Biosensors Laboratory

The Advanced Biosensors Laboratory (ABL) develops innovative biosensor assays utilizing antibodies, receptor molecules, ligands, and other capture molecules for near real time detection of biothreat agents and other pathogens/toxins in food, water, air and clinical specimens. Biosensor assays developed by the ABL are optimized for reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity, and tested on various biosensor platforms. The ABL also develops enrichment protocols and rapid processing methods for complex matrix samples such as ground beef, apple juice, produce, potable water, recreational water, human blood, and saliva, enabling such samples to be directly tested by biosensor assays for target analytes.