Diagnostic Methods Improve as Importance of Diagnostics Increases

The Interim CEO of Prairie Diagnostic Services says, while the tried and true methods of diagnosing disease remain relevant, new equipment and new approaches have improved the speed and reliability of the diagnosis of animal diseases. Prairie Diagnostic Services, located at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, is co-owned by the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan.

 

Dr. Yanyun Huang, the interim CEO of Prairie Diagnostic Services, says PDS operates a fully equipped necropsy lab, microbiology and toxicology lab and clinical pathology lab which provide a full spectrum of veterinary diagnostic services to all species with a team of about 70 including veterinary professionals who bring expertise in pathology, microbiology and toxicology, highly trained technical staff who perform the tests and IT and administrative staff.

 

 

The methods of diagnostic science have changed dramatically through the last couple of decades. We still have older methods, like isolation of bacteria on a plate or pathology where we use our eyes to look at animal organs and tissues under the microscope.

 

These, I concede, are older methods but they stand the test of time and are still very relevant today. However, we have more and more new test methods and new test targets. These methods are more and more sensitive and also quicker.

 

We also now have methods that can enable us to identify emerging diseases. The implication of all of the changes is that they continue to expand and enhance our ability to provide accurate diagnostic results to our clients.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.