Announcing the Fourth Annual Kalter/Heberling Diagnostic Research Grant

Overview:
VRL invites any academic researcher to submit a short abstract (<500 words) stating how our diagnostic services can benefit your research. VRL will award one (1) winner with full access to our non-human primates, small animals, zebrafish testing menu in virology, bacteriology, parasitology, clinical pathology, necropsy and environmental testing.

Award Terms and Conditions:

  • (1) $10,000 grant to be used for VRL testing services during a 12-month period
  • Total grant must be redeemed within 12 months following award announcement
  • After 12 months, remaining portion of unused grant will expire and cannot be redeemed for VRL testing services
  • Award winner grants VRL unlimited rights to publish and distribute winning abstract

Application Deadline: 8/31/2023

Criteria for Selection of Winning Submission:
Winning submission will be selected by a committee and the abstract should demonstrate how your research will impove people’s lives.

Award Announcement:
Funded winner will be informed and winner’s abstract will be posted on www.vrl.net on 9/08/2023

Eligibility:
Applicants who are employed in academic facilities

Confidentiality:
We agree to maintain in confidence all of your proprietary and nonpublic materials, data, reports, records, technical and other information and to use such confidential information only for the purpose of performing analyses of specimens and providing reports on our findings to you. In any instance where information is subpoenaed by, and must be released to, a governmental agency, or is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to law or regulation, we will promptly notify you. You authorize us to reference, use and disclose de-identified and aggregated data included in our analyses, reports or other services provided that such de-identified and aggregated data is combined with other de-identified data from other clients. You agree not to use the VRL name and/or data in any manner that might cause harm to our reputation and/or business. Under no circumstances is the name of VRL to be published—either alone or in association with that of any other party—without our approval in writing.

Completed abstract should be emailed to Dennis Pitts, dennis.pitts@vrl.net. Please use the subject line, “VRL Research Grant Submission”.

VRL Sentinel Swab – AALAS Demo Day

The better alternative for plenum filter testing.

PCR has become one of the most useful tools in pathogen detection over the last 20 years. The advent of PCR has allowed for a more sensitive detection of pathogens in animal colonies, while decreasing the number of sentinel animals used in health surveillance. In this document we explain how to use swabs as a replacement for sentinel animals. This alternative does not require special systems and it can be used with any type of rack and cage. The process is similar to the traditional sentinel program using live animals, but instead using animals, our solution uses only swabs. For this demo, our Product Specialist Ryan Walters demonstrates the sentinel program.

VRL: More Than Animal Health Monitoring

We’re So Much More Than Animal Health Monitoring.

When it comes to Animal Health Monitoring, VRL offers unrivaled, high-quality results. All with fast turnaround times and unmatched customer service. But did you know VRL also offers an extensive collection of Preclinical Bioanalysis services to complement your research program? These include:

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Hematology
  • Histopathology
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Assay Development
  • Cell Based Assays
  • AAV Testing
  • Immune Response

Contact us today to take advantage of all that VRL has to offer!

Customize Your Histology Program with VRL

When it Comes to Histologic Examination, You Can Count On VRL

You can be confident in your histology program if you partner with VRL. We have more than 30 years of diagnostic experience, and offer a wide variety of examination services for multiple species and tissue types.

Contact VRL today to discuss your histology needs!

Identifying Tuberculosis, VRL Leads the Way

VRL Leads the Way in Tuberculosis Detection

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Two TB related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease, which makes it hard to diagnose.

Because TB is a difficult agent to detect, VRL provides many ways to identify it! With different test methods, we provide a greater chance of detecting this disease. Our tests include:

Order Code 8584- PCR assay

Direct detection of the M. tuberculosis bacteria in several sample types

Order Code L157-TB-IFN-γ assay

Detects IFN-γ produced from T- cells exposed to M. tuberculosis

Order Code X162- MFI TB

Detects antibodies against M. tuberculosis

Kalter/Heberling Annual Diagnostic Research Grant Winners

VRL Laboratories is proud to announce the recipients of the Kalter/Heberling Annual Diagnostic Research Grant for 2022, following the committee’s careful review of essays submitted by researchers employed in academic facilities.

“We’d like to thank everyone that took the time and effort to participate in this year’s competition. With so many great essays to choose from, it was a difficult choice. And that’s why this year we decided to award three individuals for their outstanding work,” stated VRL President Dennis Pitts.

On September 14, 2022, VRL announced the award-winning individuals:

  • Martha D. Gay, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
    Georgetown University
    Research: Understanding the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors
  • Lisa Krugner-Higby, DVM, PhD
    Clinical Associate Professor and Research Animal Veterinarian
    University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Research: Helicobacter treatment for chronic diarrhea in rhesus macaques
  • Amanda K. Darbyshire, DVM, DACLAM
    Assistant Director, Clinical Medicine
    Purdue University
    Research: A novel method of health monitoring in laboratory zebrafish

“The continued advances in research and development that these programs will provide in the coming years reminds us of the passion VRL’s founders, Dr. Seymour Kalter and Dr. Richard Heberling best exemplified,” Pitts said.

VRL, for more than 30 years, has been in business as a diagnostic laboratory maintaining a focus on providing standard-setting diagnostic health monitoring and testing services that evolve with the needs of their customers. From testing to delivering timely customized reports, VRL is committed to being the premier provider for diagnostic testing.

VRL Laboratories Announces Grand Opening of Canada Facility

VRL Laboratories is proud to announce the grand opening of their facility located at 4365 avenue Beaudry, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 8W2. The event will take place on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Visitors are welcome to stop in and meet the staff, learn about VRL’s reputation for quality diagnostics, quick turnaround times and excellent customer service while providing a full menu of diagnostics tests.

“Not only have we grown to provide advanced solutions with commercial accessibility to our clients, we are also strategically adding locations to better serve our global client base. The Quebec office is the most recent addition, and we look forward to enhancing relationships with our Canadian clients,” said Dennis Pitts, President at VRL.

VRL is making a deliberate investment in their Canadian customers by opening the new office in Quebec. With this facility, access to more services and added shipping conveniences back VRL’s continued efforts – strengthening relationships by way of exceptional customer service.

“We aren’t stopping here. Our growth strategy will always be in the best interest of our customers, and this is yet another example of our commitment to them,” states Pitts.

About VRL: For more than 30 years, VRL has been in business as a diagnostic virus laboratory. A knowledgeable staff and the experience it represents ensures clients reliable results and fast turn around times. VRL values its customer relationships with a focus to always provide the highest levels of service available in Diagnostic Services. Contact us today!

Announcing the Third Annual Kalter/Heberling Diagnostic Research Grant

Overview:
VRL invites any academic researcher to submit a short abstract (<500 words) stating how our diagnostic services can benefit your research. VRL will award one (1) winner with full access to our non-human primates, small animals, zebrafish testing menu in virology, bacteriology, parasitology, clinical pathology, necropsy and environmental testing.
Award Terms and Conditions:

  • (1) $10,000 grant to be used for VRL testing services during a 12-month period
  • Total grant must be redeemed within 12 months following award announcement
  • After 12 months, remaining portion of unused grant will expire and cannot be redeemed for VRL testing services
  • Award winner grants VRL unlimited rights to publish and distribute winning abstract

Application Deadline:
08/31/2022
Criteria for Selection of Winning Submission:
Winning submission will be selected by a committee and the abstract should demonstrate how your research will impove people’s lives.
Award Announcement:
Funded winner will be informed and winner’s abstract will be posted on www.vrl.net on 09/05/2022
Eligibility:
Applicants who are employed in academic facilities
Confidentiality:
We agree to maintain in confidence all of your proprietary and nonpublic materials, data, reports, records, technical and other information and to use such confidential information only for the purpose of performing analyses of specimens and providing reports on our findings to you. In any instance where information is subpoenaed by, and must be released to, a governmental agency, or is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to law or regulation, we will promptly notify you. You authorize us to reference, use and disclose de-identified and aggregated data included in our analyses, reports or other services provided that such de-identified and aggregated data is combined with other de-identified data from other clients. You agree not to use the VRL name and/or data in any manner that might cause harm to our reputation and/or business. Under no circumstances is the name of VRL to be published—either alone or in association with that of any other party—without our approval in writing.
Completed abstract should be emailed to Dennis Pitts, dennis.pitts@vrl.net. Please use the subject line, “VRL Research Grant Submission”.

Seymour S. Kalter, Ph.D. March 19, 1918 – October 17, 2007
Dr. Seymour Kalter was dedicated to the understanding of viruses and communicable Diseases. He was the Chief, Virus Diagnostic Unit of the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia from 1956 until 1961 when to took the position of Chief, Virology Section, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, at the Brooks Air Force Base in Texas. He eventually connected with the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research at which he held several high level positions. He then started the Virus Reference Laboratory in San Antonio, Texas with Richard Heberling, PhD. He was active in the World Health Organization as Chairman of Simian Studies and stood on the Board for the CTRC. Dr. Kalter had many discoveries and contributions to the understanding of viruses.

Richard L. Heberling, Ph.D. May 5, 1926 – November 25, 2005
When Dr. Heberling returned from the U.S. Navy after serving in WWII he began his education and career in Microbiology and Virology at the National Cancer Institute, and then in 1967 moving to work for the Southwest Foundation for Research and Education as the Foundation Scientist. Dr. Heberling and colleagues advanced the field of diagnostic virology and serologic testing in the laboratory and in the field studying the pathology of simian viruses for various species resulting in over 100 peer – reviewed scientific publications. In 1988 Dr. Heberling co-founded the Virus Reference Lab with Dr. Kalter.

About VRL:
For over 30 years VRL has been providing diagnostic services to biomedical researchers from Academic, Pharmaceutical and Government researchers. VRL excels at providing quality diagnostic test, consultative client service with the goal of help exceling research to improve human lives.
www.vrl.net
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Always Innovative. Always Science Driven.

At VRL We Understand Your Business and the Challenges for Ensuring Quality Research Models.

Above all else, we are driven to innovate our diagnostic process around your requirements, not ours. We ensure our recommendations are balanced by proven diagnostic methods with sampling techniques that reduce your time and cost. As a result of this drive to balance science with business, we are able to provide customized solutions that get you answers faster and with a high level of accuracy.

You can trust VRL to handle any diagnostic program with the highest level of confidence! Give VRL a call today to discuss your program and find out how we can best help you!

VRL is a full-service laboratory providing products and solutions to the Research Laboratory Animal community.

Contact us to learn more!