LaboratoryDpt. of Molecular Diagnostics and Immunology

Faculty and Staff

• Dr. Rana Muzaffar ProfessorPhD
• Dr. Sabiha Anis Senior LecturerMBBS, MCPS, FCPS
• Dr. Khawar Abbas PathologistMBBS, MCPS
• Dr. Salma Batool Jafri Senior LecturerPhD (Microbiology)

Introduction

Molecular diagnostics at SIUT made a humble beginning in 1995 when PCR based testing was initiated to complement and expand diagnostic tests repertoire for infectious diseases, specifically infections that cause serious disease in transplant patients.

Work load at MDIL increases proportionately with the increasing patient number at SIUT. As a consequence, from a single technologist and one consultant in 1995, it now functions as a team of 12 highly trained technicians, technologists, clinical and basic scientists. In the year 2008, laboratory received around 10,000 clinical samples and performed over 23,000 tests. The work load is likely to increase in the future and the laboratory prepares itself by training of man power, up gradation of instruments and adoption of newer technologies to provide cutting edge diagnostic services.

Services

MDIL provides routine and special testing for a wide spectrum of viral and bacterial infections. These include PCR based assays for diagnosing viral and bacterial infections; determination of drug resistance, quantitation of viral loads, typing of bacterial and viral strains is also routinely carried out to augment disease diagnosis. Conventional and Real-Time PCR machines, a DNA sequencer, Biosafety cabinets, -80 freezers, etc. are some of the machines that the laboratory is currently equipped with.

Immunology section of the laboratory is equipped with latest flowcytometers, automated analyzers and fluorescent microscopes, protein electrophoresis systems, to name a few. Services currently being provided include tests for infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiencies and multiple myelomas. The range of testing includes tests that are crucial for the management of transplant patients such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia assay for diagnosing CMV infection in transplant recipients. Importantly, availability of both serological and molecular testing for infectious diseases ensures accurate and rapid diagnosis in a timely manner.

Research and Training

MDIL offers research and training opportunities for both clinicians and research scientists, leading to PhD and Fellowship in Immnuology. MDIL also trains interns/students of the School of Biotechnology at SIUT, and trainees of other institutions.

Ongoing research in MDIL includes work on expression of urinary cytokine genes in renal transplant patients, cytokine gene polymorphisms, determination of immune dysregulation and cell surface markers in patients with FSGS.

Collaboration

MDIL also offers support laboratory support to other national programs when necessary. It has been the focal laboratory for the Canada-Pakistan HIV/AIDS surveillance program initiated in 2005 by the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Currently in collaboration with The Global Fund and NACP, it provides testing facility for monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients from Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, and HIV-drug resistance genotyping at the national level.