Rhode Island State Health Laboratories

Biological Sciences

The mission of the Biological Sciences Section is to provide quality laboratory support  to detect infectious diseases, monitor environmental quality and protect the consumer. This section also provides many services to the medical community. The section consists of five separate laboratory units: Bioterrorism Response/Special Pathogens, Molecular Biology/Enterics, Food/Water Microbiology, and Serology. A Quality Assurance (QA) Office also supports the section.
Bioterrorism Response and Special Pathogens:

• Performs diagnostic and confirmatory testing for suspected bacterial agents of bioterrorism in both clinical and environmental samples.
• Performs diagnostic, confirmatory, and drug susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as for other species of mycobacteria.
• Serves as a reference laboratory for hospital based and private microbiology laboratories within the state to assist in the identification of unusual bacterial isolates and blood parasites.
• Performs microbiological testing on specimens submitted by the Office of the State Medical Examiner to assist in determining cause of death.
• Supports the HEALTH epidemiology programs through diagnostic testing and confirmation of bacteria associated with diseases of public health significance such as meningitis and whooping cough.

Contact: Cindy Vanner, 222-5599

Molecular Biology/Enteric Pathogens:

• Conducts Pulse Field Gel Electrophoretic analysis of pathogenic microorganisms to determine “fingerprint” patterns in support of national and local infectious disease surveillance programs.
• Performs Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis to detect pathogenic organisms of public health significance and potential agents of bioterrorism.
• Performs DELFIA Time-Resolved Fluorescence analysis of toxins associated with agents ofbioterrorism.
• Provides molecular biological methods support for other Biological Sciences Section laboratory units.
• Performs tests to detect pathogenic enteric bacteria in human specimens including Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7 and others.
• Performs testing to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the agent of the sexually transmitted disease Gonorrhea.
• Identifies pathogenic parasitic agents.
• Detects Noro Virus during outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease, employing Reverse Transcriptase PCR methods.
• Provides telediagnosis assistance to clinicians in conjunction with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help diagnosis parasitic diseases.
• Performs fluorescent antibody testing to detect Rabies in wildlife and domestic mammals.
• Conducts surveillance testing for Influenza using cell culture and PCR methods.

Contact: Robert Ireland, Ph.D., 222-5598

Quality Assurance Office:

• Plans, directs and performs audit and consultative activities related to Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC) and internal and external proficiency testing programs.
• Applies statistical methods to identify quality assurance issues and evaluates the effects of remedial actions.
• Assesses needs to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Communicates with the community, professional organizations, and accrediting and certification agencies regarding issues of QA.
• Monitors and improves QA through changes in workplace policies and procedures.

Contact: Melissa Martin, 222-5560

 Food/Water Microbiology:

• Performs microbiological analysis on environmental samples such as water from Narragansett Bay to monitor pollution from sewage sources.
• Performs microbiological analyses of drinking water according to the EPA regulations
• Performs bioassays on shellfish to monitor marine waters for red tide toxin - the cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
• Conducts tests to assure the quality of food and water including the adherence to FDA standards and accurate representation of the product by the manufacturer or retailer.
• Analyzes food products associated with foodborne disease outbreaks for pathogenic bacteria.
• Maintains capacity to conduct microbiological tests for potential microbial agents of bioterrorism in the food supply.

Contact: Kerry Patterson, 222-5588

Serology:

• Employs cell culture, fluorescent antibody and PCR methods to detect Arboviruses such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes and host animals such as livestock and birds.
• Performs serological tests to detect new and emergent bacterial and viral diseases such as West Nile virus, Hanta virus, HIV and SARS.
• Conducts surveillance testing for measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Performs nucleic acid amplification tests to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases.
• Performs serological tests on cattle and poultry specimens to assist the Department of Environmental Management in controlling the spread of infectious diseases in livestock.

Contact: (Acting Supervisor) Christoper Harmon