Superlative research at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine announces the establishment of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of our university is pleased to announce the establishment of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, which became operational on May 12, 2025. The staff is composed of Prof. Dr. Dana Pusta and Assoc Prof. Dr. Anamaria Ioana Paștiu, who provide details about the analyses available in the laboratory and explain their important role.

“The laboratory is not aimed at the general public in the true sense of the word. It is first and foremost a reference laboratory, which helps veterinarians to establish differential diagnosis in different pathologies. The laboratory’s services are also aimed at breeders of valuable animals. As far as bird breeders are concerned, we have experience here and have performed tests on many birds that do not show sexual dimorphism (e.g. pigeons, parrots, canaries, etc.).

For kennels, we can provide useful services in identifying heterozygous carriers of the degenerative myelopathy gene and help the breeder to match pairs to avoid the appearance of diseased individuals. Also, identification of the MDR1 gene can help the veterinarian and the owner to determine drug sensitivity (antibiotics, antiparasitics, etc).

Last but not least, the identification of Encephalitozoon cuniculi is important for breeders with valuable rabbits and for owners with pet rabbits, especially those in direct contact with children. It is a microscopic parasite that we have identified in a high percentage of healthy animals. The parasite has a potential zoonotic risk (of transmitting the disease to humans, especially immunosuppressed individuals such as children and young children). This test can be used by veterinarians for differential diagnosis of diseases with nervous symptoms, but also by breeders who use rabbits for economic and recreational purposes. Recently we have also identified this pathogen in wild rabbits (in carcasses)”.

Samples can be collected at the Faculty Emergency Hospital, and if the owners come with samples already collected, they can be handed in at the Hospital Reception.

Congratulations and good luck to the staff at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory!