Molecular genetic methods are used more frequently in the detection and epidemiology of diseases. Many of the causative agents of disease can be detected rapidly using highly sensitive genetic amplification methods. Easy sample collection and stabilization of nucleic acids with FTA Technology allow samples to be taken in the field then transported to the diagnostic laboratory. Rapid nucleic acid preparation methods are key steps in accurately detecting animal diseases.
Many tests for animal disease analyze proteins produced as a by-product of a diseased state. The ability to multiplex this analysis is a time and cost saving benefit of protein microarrays. Arrays specific for mutated or altered structure proteins are a high specificity method to quickly identify animal diseases in a variety of biological samples.