Central Referral Laboratory (CRL)
The Central Referral Laboratory (CRL) serves as the apex diagnostic and confirmatory unit of the institute, providing expert analysis, validation, and reference support for complex veterinary disease cases. Equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies and a multidisciplinary team, it acts as the national hub for confirmatory testing, surveillance, and research.
Overview
The Central Referral Laboratory (CRL) functions as the top-tier facility for confirmatory diagnosis and disease investigation in animals. It receives and processes samples referred from regional and state laboratories for specialized testing, molecular confirmation, and epidemiological analysis.
The laboratory acts as a nodal centre for inter-laboratory validation, training, and quality assurance, thereby strengthening the national veterinary diagnostic network and supporting disease-free zone certification initiatives.
Core Functions
- • Confirmatory diagnosis of infectious and emerging animal diseases
- • Reference testing and validation of diagnostic assays
- • Molecular and serological confirmation of field cases
- • Maintenance of disease reference samples and control materials
- • Technical guidance and proficiency testing for regional laboratories
- • Data compilation and reporting for national disease surveillance systems
Infrastructure and Facilities
The CRL is equipped with advanced instrumentation and high-containment infrastructure to handle diverse diagnostic and analytical requirements, including:
- • BSL-II/III laboratory suites with containment and safety protocols
- • Molecular diagnostics and real-time PCR systems
- • Automated ELISA and immunoassay workstations
- • High-resolution microscopy and digital imaging systems
- • Cold storage and biorepository for reference samples
- • Integrated data management and reporting platforms
Research and Collaboration
The Central Referral Laboratory actively collaborates with national and international organizations for advanced disease surveillance and diagnostic research. Partnerships with OIE reference laboratories, universities, and research institutes strengthen diagnostic capability and promote standardization across veterinary networks.
Quality and Compliance
All operations comply with ISO/IEC 17025 and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). The laboratory participates in inter-laboratory comparison and proficiency testing programs to ensure diagnostic accuracy, reliability, and data integrity.
Mission and Commitment
The Central Referral Laboratory is dedicated to providing reliable diagnostic services, enhancing national disease surveillance capacity, and fostering excellence in veterinary diagnostics — ensuring the health and safety of animal populations nationwide.