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CDC researchers have developed technology that consists of a simple and inexpensive technique for creating fluorescent labeled primers for nucleic acid amplification. Fluorescent chemical-labeled probes and primers are extensively used in clinical and research laboratories for rapid, real-time detection and identification of microbes and genetic sequences. During nucleic acid amplification, the "UniFluor" primer is incorporated into newly synthesized double stranded DNA.

CDC scientists have developed a rapid and cost-efficient method for generating fluorescently labeled primers for PCR and real-time PCR. At present, fluorescent primers are useful for detecting and identifying microbes and specific nucleic acid sequences, amplifying nucleic acids for pyro-sequencing, determining the levels of gene expression, and many other uses. However, problems exist with current techniques used to create fluorescent primers. For one, labeling is not one hundred percent efficient, leading to inaccurate results.

Rickettsial infections are caused by bacteria from the Rickettsia genus which are often spread by biting ticks, fleas, mites or lice. Rickettsia can cause mild to severe illness and Rickettsia species can be found worldwide. Early stage, nonspecific symptoms of infections can make clinical diagnosis difficult. Rickettsial infection symptoms, if present, typically develop within 1 -2 weeks of exposure and include fever, headache, malaise, rash, nausea, and vomiting.

The simultaneous concentration and recovery of microbes in drinking water is important for responding to potential water-related events such as pathogen contamination or bioterrorism and could be a cost-effective technique for routine monitoring of drinking water quality. Scientists at the CDC have combined two techniques, ultrafiltration (UF) and insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) in series, to achieve significant concentration of microbes and pathogens for analysis.

Scrub typhus is a bacterial disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi or Ots) that is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). The most common symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. Severe illness can lead to organ failure and bleeding which can be fatal if left untreated. Most cases of scrub typhus occur in Asia Pacific countries, however, recent reports document establishment in the Arabian Peninsula, Chile, and possibly Kenya.

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading many viruses that can make people sick, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) new autocidal gravid ovitrap (AGO) mosquito trap is an inexpensive, simple-to-assemble, and easy-to-maintain trap that targets female mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs. The current trap model stands 18 inches (45cm) tall and is made of a 5-gallon (18L) bucket. The AGO trap's unique design lures mosquitoes by using water and an all-natural, organic hay attractant.

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe birth defects. The CDC Zika MAC-ELISA (IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) currently used for diagnosis detects antibodies produced to fight a Zika virus infection. However, reactivity of flavivirus antibodies (from exposure to other mosquito-borne infections such as dengue or West Nile virus) can complicate the interpretation of these results.

CDC researchers have engineered West Nile/dengue virus (WN/DENV) chimeras utilizing the replicative ability of the West Nile (WN) virus but presenting the immunogenic pre-membrane and envelope surface proteins of each of the four dengue virus serotypes (DENV 1-4). When coupled with a fluorescent reporter gene, each chimera is able to generate live chimeric reporter WN/DENV (R-WN/DENV) expressing the fluorescent protein in infected cells. These chimeric reporter viruses (CRVs) are used to develop faster and less hands-on high throughput neutralization assays for DENV.

The development of genomic approaches and nucleic acid based techniques has led to a large number of biological samples, including DNA, RNA, cells, tissues, and environmental samples that require storage. Typically, microbial DNA and RNA samples are stored long-term in laboratory freezers at temperatures ranging from -20°C to -196°C, the lower ranges utilizing liquid nitrogen. This often requires the use of several freezer boxes that can take up space and become difficult to sort through.

Heartland virus (HRTV) is a novel tick-borne virus first discovered in 2009 that causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and diarrhea. Patients with HRTV often have low white blood cell counts, low platelet counts, and abnormal liver function tests which can become severe. Cases of Heartland virus disease have been identified in the Midwestern and southern United States. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat Heartland virus infections.