Our Mission

Provide laboratory analytical services to protect the Department of Defense community, assist with the promotion of health, and aid in the prevention of disease and injury within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.
 
Division of Laboratory Sciences
Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (ECL)
Environmental Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Food Analysis Laboratory (FAL)
Sample and Laboratory Information Management System (SLIMS)
 
Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (ECL) Core Functions
  1. Provide level regional-level, accredited, chemical laboratory analytical services to protect the Department of Defense community.
  2. Ensure garrison compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
  3. Ensure compliance with host-nation and SOFA regulations.
 
Facilities in Korea, Japan, and Diego Garcia are required to use a laboratory certified by a U.S. representative or are required to use an ISO 17025 Accredited laboratory using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Methods. The ECL provides accredited, legally defensible, regional laboratory support to determine the levels of contaminants (organic compounds such as pesticides and inorganic compounds such as lead and copper) in drinking water. Some analyses are time-sensitive and cannot be analyzed CONUS. The ECL provides a central, one stop resource for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command garrisons to ensure compliance that meets hold-time requirements.
 
Environmental Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

Environmental Molecular Biology Laboratory Mission:  Provide laboratory analytical services to protect the DOD community, assist with the promotion of health, and aid in the prevention of disease and injury within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.

EMBL Core Functions
Analyze vector-borne viral, bacterial, and rickettsial diseases of military public health significance. Provide routine (vector-borne) and responsive (COVID-19) pathogen detection services in support of Army personnel health readiness. EMBL works to support efforts of installation public health and Public Health Command-Pacific Entomology sections by generating technical data for their missions. Vector-borne disease testing enables timely action to control pests when emerging diseases enter a region. COVID-19 surveillance data enables installation public health to advise garrison commanders on appropriate health protection measures based on the health of the community.
 

EMBL Current Capabilities
Detection of vector-borne diseases surveillance in the USINDOPACOM AOR utilizing molecular techniques.
Biosurveillance Diseases of Interest

  • Mosquito-borne Diseases Surveillance

    • Flavivirus (West Nile, Dengue, Zika and Japanese Encephalitis)
    • Alphavirus (Chikungunya)

 

  • Tick-borne Diseases Surveillance

    • Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum)
    • Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
    • Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis)
    • Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsia Bacteria

 

  • Flea-borne Diseases Surveillance

    • Bartonella

 

  • Rodent-borne Diseases Surveillance

    • Leptospirosis

 
EMBL Unique Capabilities

  • Types of Molecular Testing:

    • RT-PCR

    • Singleplex and Multiplex

  • Current Laboratory Equipment:

    • Luminex MagPix

    • Applied Biosystems 7500 FAST DX

      • Current Real Time RT-PCR Protocols

        • COVID-19

        • West Nile virus

        • Zika virus

        • Chikungunya virus

        • Dengue virus (all serotypes)

        • Japanese Encephalitis virus

    • Roche Lightcycler

    • Eppendorf Mastercycler

    • Applied Biosystems MagMax Express 96

Food Analysis Lab Mission and Core Functions:
  • Administer the Department of Defense Food Safety and Quality Assurance Program for potentially hazardous food. 
  • Perform microbiological analysis of subsistence, bottled water and ice to help ensure food safety, fitness for consumption and contractual compliance IAW AR 40-657 Veterinary/Medical Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Laboratory Service.
  • Provide technical consultation to the Department of Defense to integrate laboratory testing and food safety issues into a science-based inspection system.
 
Regions covered: The entire Pacific including:
 
Where do our food samples come from?
  • Everywhere within the Department of Defense community. That could mean the commissaries, shoppettes, catering facilities, and private businesses that sell to the military.
  • Food Inspectors can conduct an audit on a private facility that wants to sell to the military. The company needs to be cleared first. The process includes testing before they can sell their product(s) to the military.
  • Foodborne illness investigations may also warrant testing the suspected food item.
  • Bottom Line: We’re making sure that the food you’re buying is safe to eat.