Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory
Description
The Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory provides routine disease diagnostic services for shrimp and bivalve farms and research facilities. Available diagnostic methods include histopathology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR (qPCR), and microbiology. Services can be accessed by FAU and external researchers on a fee-for-use basis.
Facility & Equipment
The AAHL Laboratory is located at FAU Harbor Branch in room 105F of the Marine Science Lab II building.
Equipment
Histology
- Shandon Excelsior ES Tissue Processor
- Thermo Scientific Histostar Embedding Station
- HM 355 S-2 Rotary Microtome
- Leica AutoStainer XL
- Nikon Eclipse Ni-U Microscope
- Nikon DS-Ri2 Microscope Camera
- NIS-Elements BR
PCR/qPCR
- Multiple Bio-Rad Touch Thermal Cyclers (C1000, T100)
- Roche Lightcycler 96
- AirClean PCR Workstations with UV Light Irradiation and Hepa Filtration
Services & Facility Use
Services
Histology
- Routine tissue processing, embedding and sectioning of paraffin samples
- Routine histological staining (H & E)
- Special staining on request
- Consultation and training for all histological procedures
PCR/qPCR
- Routine diagnostic tests available for shrimp, shrimp feeds, and bivalves are listed below
- Quantitative qPCR is available by request
- Turnaround time for diagnostic reports is typically 5-7 business days
| Shellfish | Pathogen Type | Available Test | Disease |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHPND/EMS* | |||
| PCR & qPCR | IHHNV* | ||
| NHP* | |||
| WSSV* | |||
| BP | |||
| DNA | CFP* | ||
| DIV1/SHIV | |||
| PCR only | EHP | ||
| Shrimp | HPV | ||
| MBV | |||
| SMV | |||
| PCR & qPCR | IMNV* | ||
| TSV* | |||
| RNA | CMNV | ||
| PCR only | PvNV | ||
| WTD/MrNv* | |||
| YHV* | |||
| *World Organisation for Animal Health Listed Pathogens of Concern | |||
| Bonamia | |||
| Dermo | |||
| Bivalves | DNA | PCR only | MSX |
| OsHV-1 | |||
| QPX | |||
Facility Use
Use of histology equipment may be scheduled by contacting Dr. Susan Laramore. All users are required to complete an initial equipment orientation.
Dr. Susan Laramore
772-242-2525
slaramo1@fau.edu