Avian Bioscience Center
University of Delaware Poultry Health System (UDPHS)
The University of Delaware’s Poultry Health System (UDPHS) is an all avian species, full service diagnostic laboratory. The UDPHS consists of two state of the art laboratories; the Lasher Laboratory in Georgetown, Delaware and the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Charles C. Allen Biotechnology Laboratory in Newark, Delaware. The UDPHS laboratories are Level 2 members of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and accredited (Certificate Number: 3585.01) to the ISO17025 standard by the A2LA to perform official avian influenza virus and virulent Newcastle disease virus diagnostic PCR based testing. The Lasher Laboratory is also approved by the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) organization to perform Salmonella and Mycoplasma diagnostic assay.
The UDPHS has the ability to quickly and efficiently respond to industry needs for poultry disease diagnosis and outreach activities. Based in Sussex Country Delaware, the most poultry dense county in the USA, the Lasher Laboratory represent the first line of defense against poultry diseases. Lasher Lab is staffed by six full-time technicians and one veterinarian. Newark based faculty and staff add diagnostic virology and microscopic pathology capabilities to the System.
Diagnostic service offerings for commercial and backyard hobbyists include poultry necropsy and clinical diagnosis, bacteriology, mycology, molecular diagnostic testing, histopathology and serology. Poultry disease applied and basic research projects can be performed in collaboration with poultry industry, allied industry and University scientists.