April 28, 2010

Cobb doubles research lab facilities

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

The facility; which will increase laboratory space from 6,000 to 11,000 square feet (1,022 square 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, said, "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.