The Environmental Biology Laboratory ensures the health and safety of NYS citizens by conducting routine testing of drinking and recreational waters, carrying out research and development studies, and participating in various academic programs.

Routine Testing: The Environmental Biology Laboratory is the designated reference laboratory for several state and federal agencies including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP), and NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). In that capacity the laboratory analyzes water samples submitted by state agencies and local health departments for organism’s indicative of fecal pollution (thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, enterococci) and overall water quality (heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms), Legionella species, microcystin (a toxin produced by cyanobacteria), Cryptosporidium species, and Giardia species. In addition, the laboratory analyzes cannabis samples for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and molds.

Analyses/Tests Routinely Performed

  • Total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli in potable and non-potable waters*
  • Heterotrophic bacteria in potable waters*
  • Enterococci in recreational waters*
  • Cryptosporidium, Giardia (EPA Method 1623)*
  • Legionella enumeration in potable and non-potable waters (ISO 11731*)
  • Cyanobacterial toxins (including EPA 546*)
  • Microscopic identification of phytoplankton, zooplankton
  • Modified Microscopic particulate analysis
  • Microbial source tracking (MST)
  • Microbial contaminants in Cannabis (ISO 17025 accredited NYS Cannabis Reference Laboratory Program)

*The laboratory is accredited as NHELAP 2252, EPA NY00047; NYSELAP 10765 (NELAP/ELAP); Florida DOH E37909 (NELAP) for analysis of potable and non-potable waters, as applicable; and as 1785.02 for analysis of cannabis.

Research and Development: The development of rapid and accurate methods for the detection of waterborne pathogens, or their indicators, prior to the outbreak of disease is a major research focus in this laboratory. We incorporate the following techniques into our research efforts: culture (plating, enzyme substrate), real-time PCR, digital PCR, MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microscopy. Recent research projects include: 1) validating qPCR-based methods for the rapid detection of waterborne enterococci, and E. coli, impacting New York State recreational waters 2) developing a digital PCR method for detecting cyanotoxin genes in NYS recreational waters, 3) developing qPCR methods for identifying sources of fecal contamination in recreational and drinking waters and microbial contaminants in Cannabis products.

Fellowship Program: Our laboratory members enjoy playing a role in educating the future of public health science and are mentors for the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Fellowship Program. Our Fellows have been involved in various projects including developing rapid methods for detecting and enumerating cyanotoxin genes, Legionella, and fecal indicator bacteria.

 
Micrograph of Aetokthonos hydrillicola culture. Photo credit: Chris Tucker.

Wadsworth Center Scientists Develop Novel Assay to Assess Emerging Cyanobacterial Threat

Scientists at the Wadsworth Center have developed a novel molecular assay to evaluate the risks posed by the emerging toxic cyanobacterium Aetokthonos hydrillicola. A. hydrillicola is associated with invasive aquatic plants and is capable of producing two potent toxins: aetokthonotoxin, a brominated neurotoxin, and aetokthonostatin, a cytotoxic dolastatin analog. Aetokthonotoxin has been identified as the cause of Vacuolar Myelinopathy, a fatal neurological condition linked to deaths in wildlife including eagles, waterfowl, fish, and bobcats.
Flowchart of library addition of rare yeasts. A flowchart illustrating the entire process of creation of an in-house Bruker library of rare yeasts. The schematic was created with BioRender.com. SDA, Sabouraud dextrose agar.

Colorado State Public Health Lab APHL Fellow visits the Wadsworth Center to learn Legionella environmental testing and Candida identification methodologies

From February 24-26, multiple Wadsworth Center laboratories hosted an Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Fellow from the Colorado State Public Health Lab. The main purpose of the visit was for the fellow to gain experience with the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program’s (ELAP) accredited method for enumerating Legionella in environmental samples using the internationally recognized ISO 11731:2017 standard. 
CLEP Releases LDT Review Data

The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Wadsworth Center Work Together to Measure Cyanotoxin Levels in New York’s Lakes and Build the Infrastructure Necessary to Benefit Water Managers and New Yorkers

Across the globe, harmful algal blooms caused by cyanobacteria, also known as CyanoHABs, are increasing in frequency, intensity and duration, impacting drinking and recreational waters. In New York State (NYS), they have been reported in >200 lakes, and are responsible for increasing beach closures over the past decade, prompting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to expand lake monitoring programs to include CyanoHAB monitoring.
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