US awaits opening of new poultry research lab

A new laboratory is being constructed at Cobb-Vantress, a poultry breeding company, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, to provide for the expanding quality assurance and poultry research programmes.

The facility, which will increase the poultry laboratory space from 6,000 to 11,000 sq feet (1,022 sq metres), represents an investment of US$1.8 million.

With construction now underway, the laboratory should be operational in early 2011. It will accommodate both disease diagnostics and research biotechnology, using the same molecular equipment and personnel to analyse samples.

Both utilise a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process for multiplying the DNA so that the genetic information can be analysed.

Joe Shultz, Cobb laboratory director, says ''Molecular analysis is the same in different functions of our business–from gathering farm swabs for quality assurance to collecting blood samples for DNA marker assisted selection. It makes sense to have a single area where all the analysis can take place.''

The new laboratory is designed to maximise process workflow and minimise the possibility of cross-contamination of samples. Features of the building will embrace green technology by incorporating improved heating, air conditioning and ventilation as well as highly efficient insulation that will provide a good heating and cooling buffer.

As there will also be limited access for people not working in the laboratory, it will be possible to view the work areas through windows laboratory foundations at the Cobb site in Siloam Springs, US, in a visitor hallway.