# Building next generation sequencing capacity at Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for diagnosis of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) in animals

> **NIH FDA U18** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2022 · $47,800

## Abstract

Project Abstract
The goal of this proposal is to build viral whole genome sequencing capacity at the Wisconsin
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) for sequencing of SARS‐CoV‐2 from animal samples. We are
requesting funding for consumables, equipment, and personnel time to perform SARS‐CoV‐2 whole
genome sequencing. We will purchase an IndiMag48S nucleic acids extraction platform, which is critical
equipment for high‐quality samples preparation, and a nucleic acid workstation to use for library
preparation. We will also purchase an Oxford Nanopore Flongle long read sequencing platform to
provide cost effective capacity to sequence small sample caseloads without the need to batch samples.
We will validate library preparation and sequencing protocols using published reagents in ARTIC
protocol and a commercial NEBNext sequencing kit (New England BioLabs). A high computing power
machine will be purchased to support the computation demand in bioinformatics analysis of the SARS‐
CoV‐2 sequencing data. We will develop and provide standard operating protocols and analysis
programing to veterinary diagnostic personnel to maintain proficiency in sequencing and data analysis,
and fast and economically efficient in SARS‐CoV‐2 genomic lineages determination. We will use these
tools to train our staff and expand our capacity and capability to support diagnostic activities for the
ongoing global SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. Additionally, this proposed work will indirectly improve WVDL's
readiness for immediate impact and response during future animal and public health disease
outbreaks.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10610665
- **Project number:** 1U18FD007712-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Ailam Lee Lim
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $47,800
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10610665

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10610665, Building next generation sequencing capacity at Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for diagnosis of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) in animals (1U18FD007712-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10610665. Licensed CC0.

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