Molecular Biology Laboratory

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture's molecular biology laboratory was established in 2004. The laboratory uses Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to duplicate DNA and RNA extracted from samples. Insect and plant samples are collected by the plant industry section.

West Nile Virus (WNV): Tests mosquitoes for the presence of West Nile Virus. Used to survey for problem areas.

Lyme Disease: Tests deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Used to survey for problem areas.

Sudden Oak Death (SOD): Tests various plants for the presence of Phytophthora ramorum, a plant pathogen affecting plant species such as oak, azalea and rhododendron. Used to survey for presence of pathogen in nursery stock.