This article was originally published October 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The service continues today for film and TV productions, live events, professional sports, and corporate campuses on a contract basis. The public-health context has evolved — routine community testing has wound down, but verified-status entry remains a requirement for many controlled-access environments. The LAMP and rapid PCR workflows described below remain in active use.
Key Facts
- PCR turnaround: 60 minutes from sample collection to result.
- Rapid antigen: under 15 minutes, available by request.
- Mobile capacity: up to 1,000 PCR tests every 4 hours.
- Platform: Optigene Genie® HT LAMP instruments paired with rapid PCR for confirmatory testing.
- Coverage: Texas and surrounding states for full mobile deployment; nationwide for kit-based contracts.
- Reporting: HIPAA-compliant cloud registration, sample tracking, and electronic result delivery.
The On-Site Testing Service
Pro-Lab Diagnostics operates a mobile testing service designed to bring a CLIA-grade workflow directly to the location where decisions need to be made: a film set, a conference venue, a corporate headquarters, or a stadium. Rather than ship swabs to a regional lab and wait 24-48 hours, sample collection, extraction, amplification, and result delivery all happen on the same site, the same day — usually inside a 60-minute window.
The original launch in 2020 served the urgent need for return-to-work and return-to-set certainty. In 2026 the same physical workflow and the same instrumentation continue to support productions and corporate campuses on a contract basis — without the queue-of-millions pressure that defined the pandemic phase.
The LAMP Workflow
The molecular core of the on-site service is loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). LAMP runs at a single temperature (typically 60-65°C) and produces a detectable signal in 15-30 minutes — an order of magnitude faster than standard 40-cycle RT-qPCR. It also tolerates field conditions far better than benchtop thermocyclers: less sensitive to vibration, less sensitive to brief power interruptions, and small enough to operate from a generator-powered mobile trailer.
Pro-Lab's deployment runs on the Optigene Genie® HT, an 8-channel high-throughput LAMP fluorimeter, with sample prep on the Mag Pro-32 automated extraction instrument. Reagent inputs are the Pro-Mag magnetic-bead RNA extraction kit (or Pro-Spin silica-column kit for low-throughput backup), so a single mobile cabinet can swap between automated and manual workflows without re-tooling.
biotech Learn About the Platform Optigene Genie® HT — High-Throughput On-Site LAMP Testing 8-channel isothermal fluorimeter, 15-30 minute reactions, rugged enough for mobile deployment. The instrument behind Pro-Lab's on-site COVID-19 service. arrow_forwardMobile Setup
A typical deployment uses a self-contained mobile lab parked on the client site. The setup includes:
- A dedicated collection station (registration kiosk + swabbing booth) staffed by medically trained collectors.
- A "clean" extraction zone running the Mag Pro-32 with HEPA-filtered airflow.
- An amplification zone with 2-4 Optigene Genie HT instruments depending on throughput target.
- A reporting station running HIPAA-compliant cloud software that pushes results to attendees by SMS/email and to authorized event coordinators as aggregate pass/fail counts.
The trailer is dispatched with the operator, all reagents, and PPE. The client provides power, a flat parking footprint, and the attendee schedule.
Capacity & Turnaround
For high-volume events, throughput is gated by extraction (the Mag Pro-32 processes 32 samples in ~25 minutes) rather than amplification. With staggered batches across multiple extractors and four Optigene Genie HT instruments running in parallel, the mobile lab sustains 1,000 PCR-equivalent LAMP results every 4 hours. Confirmatory rapid PCR is held in reserve for any specimens that fail QC or return ambiguous melt curves.
Turnaround per sample is 60 minutes end-to-end. For events that require rolling clearance — e.g. a multi-day conference admitting attendees in waves — samples are collected the evening prior and results delivered before the first session of the next day.
Contracting Model
The service is provided on a contract basis rather than as walk-in retail. Engagement scope is set in advance and typically includes:
- Pre-event planning: a scoping call to map the attendee count, schedule windows, on-site footprint, and reporting requirements.
- Per-test or per-day pricing: volume-based, with reagent and consumable costs bundled.
- Operator-on-site: Pro-Lab personnel run the trailer; the client supplies access control and attendee notification.
- Reporting: attendee-facing results via HIPAA-compliant portal; client-facing aggregate dashboard.
Productions and corporate campuses with recurring testing needs can engage on a retainer basis, with the trailer parked on site for the duration of a shoot or a conference.
"I wanted peace of mind for my guests, especially during the holidays." — Lauren Allison, event organizer, Cvent annual conference (Austin, TX)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the turnaround time for on-site COVID-19 PCR testing?
PCR results are returned in 60 minutes from sample collection. Rapid antigen tests, available by request, return in under 15 minutes. LAMP-based molecular testing on the Optigene Genie HT platform produces sample-to-answer results in approximately 30 minutes.
How many samples can the mobile lab process at one event?
The mobile laboratory can deliver up to 1,000 PCR tests every 4 hours for large gatherings within Texas and surrounding states. Throughput scales with the number of Optigene Genie HT instruments deployed on site.
Why use LAMP instead of standard RT-PCR for on-site testing?
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) runs at a single temperature, so it does not require a thermocycler and is rugged enough for mobile deployment. The Optigene Genie HT delivers reaction times of 15-30 minutes and tolerates field conditions (vibration, temperature swings, intermittent power) better than benchtop qPCR.
Who is this service designed for today?
Film and TV productions, live events and conferences, professional sports, corporate campuses, and any organization that needs verified negative-status entry on a contract basis. Pro-Lab supplies the equipment, kits, and trained operators; the client retains scheduling and access control.
Is the result reporting HIPAA compliant?
Yes. Registration, sample tracking, and result delivery use HIPAA-compliant cloud software. Attendees receive results directly; Pro-Lab does not share PHI with event organizers beyond aggregate pass/fail counts unless a separate agreement is in place.
To scope an on-site testing engagement for a production, event, or campus, contact info@pro-lab.us or learn more about the underlying platform on the Optigene Genie® HT product page.