SUMMARY
The overall goal of this project is to build next-generation sequencing (NGS) capacity
that will support One Health and antimicrobial stewardship. Currently, the NDSU VDL along
with multiple partners representing North Dakota zoos, human health lab, CDC, FDA, Vet-LIRN,
NVSL, and USDA are investigating a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella serovar Newport in
zoo mammals that clusters with a known human pathogenic strain, REPJJP01, making it a One
Health issue. Implementation of the MIRO CANVAS would allow the NDSU VDL to more rapidly
and cost effectively prepare NGS libraries for sequencing rather than waiting to batch samples.
Additionally, the MIRO CANVAS coupled with a laptop, small sequencer, portable power supply,
pipettes, minimal supplies, and small cooler bag could provide a SLAB, or Sequencing Lab-in-
A-Bag, that could be extremely versatile and deployable in the field or point-of-care site. A
zoological facility has agreed to help in the proof-of-concept of the SLAB. This equipment
proposal has two specific aims. 1) Purchase and implement a MIRO CANVAS digital
microfluidics platform for walk-away next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation to
sequence bacterial and viral pathogens, especially Salmonella isolates. 2) Prepare a portable
sequencing lab-in-a-bag or “SLAB” that can be deployed to the field or point-of-care site to
detect and identify potential pathogens relatively rapidly and on-site.
