COVID-19 Wastewater
Surveillance in Minnesota

The COVID Water Laboratory

University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus COVID Water Lab monitors SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater across the state of Minnesota. The program began in April of 2020, and since has tested municipal water samples on a weekly basis. This approach is to complement individual testing strategies and to help address disparities in testing among vulnerable communities. Questions regarding our work should be directed to the University of Minnesota Media relations department at unews@umn.edu ( or 612-624-5551)

Specimen Collection

Coordinated reciept of water samples from cities and towns from across Minnesota

Viral genome extraction

Filtration and isolation of viral particles in preparation of measurements

Data Processing

PCR analysis of RNA from samples using SARS-CoV-2 specific primers

Laboratory Members

Shannon Champeau

UW-Superior '20

Biology

Daniel Wisniewski

UW-Superior '16

Biology

Tai Mosley

UMD '20

Biology/Psychology

Katie Andresen

UMD '20

Biochemistry/Chem


Stephen Sundeen

UMD '07

Chemistry


Laboratory Directors

Dr. Melvin

Dr. Simmons