USDA’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility selected to oversee viral swine diseases
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, located in Manhattan, Kansas, has been chosen as the Collaborating Centre for Genomic Monitoring of Viral Swine Diseases. NBAF, which opened in June 2023, was selected by the World Organization for Animal Health for this role.
“This designation is a high honor and showcases NBAF’s extensive and diverse expertise of leading USDA researchers on a world stage,” said Alfonoso Clavijo, NBAF director.
The federal research facility employs more than 400 people and was created to study zoonotic and foreign animal diseases.
“The collaborating center provides support and training to WOAH member laboratories to understand a virus’s genome, or entire set of DNA code,” according to a statement from USDA. “By understanding the genome, scientists can better understand and potentially mitigate how a virus causes disease outbreaks in swine, particularly from African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and Nipah virus.”
The initial priority for NBAF will be the ASF virus, but USDA named five additional services that the facility will perform. These include: next-generation sequencing of the full-length genome for laboratories that lack or have limited sequencing capabilities; providing protocols and training for sample collection, nucleic acid extraction, next-generation sequencing and sequence analysis for capable laboratories; identifying regional laboratories capable of receiving samples from other locations for genome sequencing; establishing reliable bioinformatic pipelines and associated tools to deliver standardized genomic data, annotation and classification for archival and new viral isolates; and visiting sites to determine laboratory capabilities and their needs to process, analyze and interpret genomic data.
The facility is also expected to develop a biorepository of virus strains, assist in monitoring the spread of disease outbreaks and provide support for vaccine matching in outbreak areas.
“International collaboration and information sharing are critical for making progress against these transboundary animal diseases,” said Jeff Silverstein, deputy administrator for USDA’s Animal Production and Protection Office of National Programs. “USDA’s Agricultural Research Service’s contribution through the WOAH Collaborative Center is a great way to amplify the impacts of our research efforts.”
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
