Our Staff
The Molecular Biology Unit is an fundamental l part of al mokhtabar medical laboratories and as such, employs the some of the most highly qualified staff in Egypt.
Our molecular biology unit is headed by Dr Mahmoud Ahmed Ali, M.D.
The unit also employs a unit head designee, WHO HAS with PHD’s in Molecular Genetics.
In addition to our medical team, we also use the experience of 5 well trained chemists, with experience in the Molecular Biology field.
Our Equipment
Every Molecular Biology unit needs the input of a professional staff and the support of the right equipment for the best output (Link to instruments).
Our Services
We offer a wide array of specialized services including:
Qualitative detection of HCV RNA, Cytomegalo virus & mycobacterium tuberculosis by PCR.
Quantitative detection of HCV.
Qualitative detection of HBV by PCR.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I & class II typing by PCR followed by reverse hybridization (DYNAL SSO typing Kit).
Qualitative detection of HIV and EBV.
HCV Genotyping using INNO LiPA assay version 2.0, where testing of HCV genotypes (1-6) along with their subtypes were available.
Testing for Factor V, MTHFR, PTH gene mutations.
Testing for gene mutations including: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), β –Thalassemia, Fragile X syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene mutations.
H1N1 testing.
Our Quality Control & Safety Measures
The successful application of PCR requires the proper use of techniques and interpretation of results. The advantages of these techniques can be offset by the demanding assay protocols and the need to follow quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures carefully.
PCR generates large numbers of amplicons; it therefore carries a high risk of contamination which in turn may lead to false results.
Laboratory Design
As such, our laboratory is designed and operated in a way that prevents contamination of reactions with amplified products from previous assays (carryover) and cross-contamination between samples to avoid false-positive results. Sample processing is divided into three physically separate rooms:
Sample Preparation Room (Pre-PCR)
Amplification Room (PCR)
Product Detection Room (Post PCR)
PCR assays include positive and negative QC samples in addition to specific standards and calibrators on a routine basis.
Controls are run with each PCR batch at the same time, and by the same personnel who is in charge with testing patient samples.
Guidance and acceptability limits on quality control samples are documented in the laboratory’s SOP of each test along with the appropriate corrective actions for positive and negative control failures.
Special care & vigilance are applied in fulfilling the CAP guidelines
Proficiency Testing
Providing the best patient care requires striving for the highest performance. As such, and in order to assess the laboratory ability to perform a particular method, the laboratory is participating in CAP (College of American Pathologists) proficiency testing (PR) program reflecting the specialty of the laboratory and level of expertise.
CAP proficiency testing allows the laboratory to regularly evaluate its performance and improve the accuracy of the patient results it provides.
Through this program, the CAP provides the laboratory with unknown specimens for testing. Samples are processed with the laboratory’s regular workload, using the same primary methods as the laboratory routinely analyzes patients' samples.
Results are returned to the CAP for evaluation using comparable peer groups with the most relevant instrument/reagent combinations to accurately assess our performance. In turn, the laboratory receives a report of its performance as well as a report summarizing the results of all participating laboratories.
The Molecular Biology unit results in CAP PT during the last three years were accurate and accepted.
If PT programs or samples are unavailable for a particular assay, the laboratory implements, at least semiannually, other procedures to test for internal consistency in the results, such as testing duplicate or split samples (alternative assessment).
Another procedure is to send a duplicate or split sample to a different accredited laboratory for comparison with the laboratory’s results.
CAP Accreditation
In April 2010, the Molecular Biology unit at al mokhtabar was accredited by the CAP (College of American pathologists)
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