Research and Development
Research and development are at the core of CentralStar’s vision. We strive to continually expand our product and service portfolio through collaboration with industry allies. We promote innovation and discovery to equip producers with the tools needed to drive the dairy industry forward.
Our Research

CentralStar Research team: Front: Kait Houghton, Casey Droscha, Chaelynne Lohr. Back: Irene Nielsen, Corey Luna, Laura Pavliscak, Sophie VanderWeele, Evan Ma.
Projects
Diagnostics
Genomics
Involved in multiple genomic discovery projects for disease resistance, fertility, identifying genetic association within long-lived cows and more.
Data analytics
Tailored herd-wide diagnostic and information analysis.
Reproduction
Automation
Development of automated workflows for various sample types and diagnostic assays.
DHI
Enhanced data collection and analysis of mid-infrared spectral data.
Diagnostics
Delivering informative, accurate, timely, and cost-effective test results is paramount for effective management of today’s dairy operations. At CentralStar, we are continually developing and validating assays so that producers are receiving the best information for their buck. We diligently strive to place our work at the intersection of novel biological discoveries and next generation technologies in order to deliver cutting edge tools to producers without prohibitive cost.
Custom Mastitis Testing
We continually expand our library of validated assays targeting both common and less common pathogens that are known to cause mastitis. We often work directly with herds to identify and contain a problematic pathogen through bulk tank microbial profiling and custom diagnostic approaches.
Bovine Leukemia Virus
Custom Single-plex SNP Assays
Is there a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that you are interested in within your herd? Genetics that encode milk proteins like A2 β-casein or K-casein can be determined from tissue, blood, or your DHI milk sample!
Johne’s Detection and Quantification
We have developed an assay capable of determining relative amounts of the causative microorganism of Johne’s disease (Mycobacterium avium paratrabucluous – MAP) from fecal samples. This assay helps producers screen and remove shedding cattle before it’s too late.
Reproduction
- In collaboration with IDEXX, we offer a blood and milk-based Pregnancy-Associated Glycan (PAG) detection ELISA for accurate and timely results.
- Biomarker discovery for detection of pregnancy loss within the first trimester.
Genomics
- Disease resistance, immunogenetic diversity
- Fertility, identifying heritable genetic defects that impact conception
- Productive Life, identifying genetic association within long-lived cows
Automation
Partnerships







