New Lab at VDL

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Jan Williams, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-622
               Malissa Fritz, Board of Animal Health, 651-296-2942, ext. 35

U of M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Opens New Lab Space
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Jan. 24, 2005) - To showcase the results of a $1.5 million appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature in 2003, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and the Board of Animal Health will host an open house at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on Friday, Jan. 28, from noonto -1 p.m. Guests will include Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences at the University of Minnesota, Senator Steve Dille, Representative Dean Urdahl, and Gene Hugoson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

"At this time two years ago, we had 5,000 square feet of outmoded and underused space that had not been updated since 1959," recalled Dr. Jim Collins, director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. "It lacked proper ventilation and utilities and was substandard according to building safety codes." With the legislative funding, the college converted the space into a modern research and service laboratory providing state-of-the-art molecular diagnostic testing. "Now, we're doing more sophisticated and faster testing at lower cost, and better serving our growing caseload, which has doubled in the past 10 years," Collins said.

"As the official laboratory of the Board of Animal Health, the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is vital to the health of Minnesota's animals and people," said Bill Hartmann, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. "It should be the best, most up-to-date facility possible."
Among the renovations are:

• Ten new laboratory facilities, enabling greater staff efficiency and more effective use of equipment. The new space can accommodate up to 20 laboratory staff assigned to individual workstations.
• Specialized laboratory equipment, from centrifuges and biosafety cabinets to computer systems
• Updated ventilation systems, utilities, and fire and life safety systems

"The Minnesota Legislature has made an important investment, not only in the diagnostic laboratory and the university, but in Minnesota," said Jeff Klausner, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "We think our visitors will be as proud of that investment as we are." The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is located at 1333 Gortner Ave. on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota.

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The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research, and delivering innovative veterinary services.