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The Navy Force Health Protection Command (FHPC) is establishing a new Core Genomics Laboratory in Florida to enhance pathogen detection and genomic surveillance capabilities for forward-deployed military and public health operations. The Navy laboratory’s mission will be to support Navy Medicine and global Force Health Protection through advanced molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and bioinformatics-based threat analysis.

The Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) within the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, has regulatory oversight of laboratories testing environmental samples collected in New York State. These laboratories analyze for a wide range of contaminants, including mercury, lead, PCBs, and “forever chemicals” (PFAS). As part of its mandate, ELAP conducts on-site inspections to ensure laboratory compliance.  

In the September 2025 issue of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, a new three-part collaborative series, “Laboratory Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria,” was published with Wadsworth Center’s Dr. Kimberlee Musser as a coauthor.  Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized as significant pathogens responsible for lung and other infections, particularly among individuals with underlying lung disease or weakened immune systems. NTM are frequently associated with nosocomial outbreaks, often traced to contaminated water sources. 

Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, is experiencing a global resurgence, with recent outbreaks reported in several regions of the United States. Dr. Nicholas Mantis of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Wadsworth Center has received two new research awards supporting the development of improved whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines.

Dr. Rajendra Agrawal of the Wadsworth Center was invited to speak at the Ribo25 Symposium (September 18–19, 2025) at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB), marking 25 years since the atomic structure of a bacterial ribosome subunit was solved – a discovery recognized with the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.  Dr. Agrawal’s presentation, “The mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes: From first glimpses to current insights,” highlighted the Wadsworth Center’s pioneering work in mammalian (human) mitochondrial ribosome research. 

The Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) within the Wadsworth Center provides regulatory oversight of laboratories that test environmental samples collected in New York State.  These laboratories monitor for toxins, harmful microorganisms, carcinogens, and other hazardous substances.  

On November 14, 2025, representatives from the Wadsworth Center’s Newborn Screening Program joined faculty, a clinician, and students at the University at Albany’s College of Integrated Health Sciences (CIHS) for the College’s first interprofessional education (IPE) event. The session, titled “Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Newborn Screening,” brought together over 50 students from public health, nursing, and social welfare programs to explore how different professions collaborate to support newborn screening and follow-up care.