Innovating Agriculture: Engineering Breakthroughs from High Throughput Disease Detection
Welcome to our Systems Engineering page, where we explore cutting-edge technologies reshaping the future of agriculture. Here, we bridge the gap between farm and lab, translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications for sustainable and productive agriculture. Dive into our exciting research projects, including Dr. Hill's high throughput instruments that revolutionize plant disease detection in citrus by processing phloem-rich bark tissues swiftly and efficiently.
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Automating Citrus Budwood Processing for Downstream Pathogen Detection Through Instrument Engineering
Watch the BTE Demonstration on JoVE Bioengineering Publication Here
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Overcoming Detection Challenges in an Evolving Crisis
As the HLB citrus disease becomes more prevalent, with California's positivity rate increasing from 0.01% in 2012 to 1.2% in 2020, efficient and accurate pathogen detection is paramount. While reliable, current detection methods like qPCR are hindered by limitations in the volume of plant tissue that can be sampled, leading to undersampling and under-testing for CLas, the bacteria causing the disease. The sporadic distribution of infected leaves further complicates detection, and the high labor and equipment costs make it challenging to scale up existing methods.
Apsnet.org, 2024, www.apsnet.org/edcenter/apsnetfeatures/Article%20Images/CitrusHLB_Fig04.jpg. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
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Response
In response to these challenges, Technology Evolving Solutions (TES) and Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) have validated a novel, specialized instrument known as the Budwood Tissue Extractor (BTE). Designed to process citrus budwood bark tissues rapidly, the BTE addresses the current labor-intensive sample preparation methods, offering a higher-throughput, more cost-effective solution. This research signifies an innovative stride in citrus disease detection, demonstrating the potential for the BTE to significantly enhance sample throughput and reduce equipment costs in citrus diagnostic laboratories.
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Budwood Tissue Extractor
This instrument and the rapid plant tissue processing protocol can benefit several citrus diagnostic laboratories and programs in California and become a model system for tissue processing for other woody perennial crops worldwide.
Publications
Pagliaccia Deborah, Hill Douglas et al. “Automating Citrus Budwood Processing for Downstream Pathogen Detection through Instrument Engineering.” JoVE Journal Bioengineering, 21 Apr. 2023, app.jove.com/v/65159/automating-citrus-budwood-processing-for-downstream-pathogen-detection-through-instrument-engineering, https://doi.org/10.3791/65159-v.