In field diagnostics with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln mobile plant diagnostic laboratory

With the increased threat of bioterrorism to the U. S., national security measures regarding emergency preparedness and response have arisen. With this in mind, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed a mobile plant diagnostic laboratory. The operation goal of the mobile laboratory is to increase our potential of intercepting new or emerging disease problems before they are widespread. The Mobile Plant Diagnostic Laboratory is a 40 foot goose-neck trailer with its own power system, satellite communication, and molecular diagnostic tools. The 300 square foot facility has both clean and receiving laboratory areas, which include large capacity refrigeration components for processing and maintaining samples. The use of digital microscopy imaging allows for presentations on potential threats on indoor and outdoor screens. With these capabilities, diagnosticians can identify potential plant disease threats within hours of being on site. Other agencies can be notified via satellite with remote images for assistance with diagnosis or confirmation of the potential threat. When the mobile laboratory is not in use for detection of an agro-terrorism threat it is used as an in-field training facility for Nebraska crop producers and commercial managers to increase awareness of potential plant disease threats.