The National Immunological Testing Laboratory (NITL) is tasked to develop an immunological testing system for rapid detection of plant and foodborne pathogens and toxins. The NITL serves as the center for early detection of pests of economically-important crops as well as food and feed contaminants. It also provides certification of disease-free planting materials, and conducts training on immunology and detection methods.

Currently, the laboratory is implementing the production of monoclonal antibodies for detection of selected plant pathogens like Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBrMV and Colletotrichum sp., development of quick detection methods for Huanglongbing (HLB), cassava witches’ broom (CWB) and pineapple pink disease, immuno- and aptamer-based detection methods for mycotoxins.

NITL offers tissue cultured banana cultivars, lakatan and saba; and trainings on tissue culture of banana cv saba and lakatan.