Department of Molecular Biology

The Department of Molecular Biology comprises the following specialized laboratories:

• Immunophenotyping Laboratory
• Cytogenetics Laboratory
• Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Diagnostic Services Offered

• Diagnosis of various hematologic malignancies (acute leukemias, B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, multiple myeloma) through immunophenotyping (flow cytometry).
  This test is available exclusively at our center.
• Monitoring treatment response in B- and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia through minimal residual disease (MRD) detection via flow cytometry.
  This test is available exclusively at our center.
• Quantitative PCR monitoring of BCR-ABL transcripts (p190 and p210).
  This test is available exclusively at our center.
• Enumeration of CD34+ (stem) cells via flow cytometry.
• Evaluation of cellular immunity by identifying major T, B, and NK lymphocyte subpopulations using flow cytometry.
• Cytogenetic testing (FISH) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
• Detection of NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and JAK2 V617F mutations by PCR.
  NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutation testing is available exclusively at our center.
• PCR detection of HBV, HCV, and HIV-1/2 viruses.
• Quantitative PCR testing for CMV (cytomegalovirus).
• Quantitative PCR testing for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6).
• Quantitative PCR testing for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).
• PCR detection of Parvovirus B19.
• Urine and serum protein electrophoresis.
  Available exclusively at our center.
• Immunofixation of urine and serum proteins.
  Available exclusively at our center.
• Hemoglobin electrophoresis.
  Available exclusively at our center.
•  Screening of donor blood for HBV, HCV, and HIV using a fully automated system.
  Available exclusively at our center.

Laboratory Equipments

Immunophenotyping Laboratory

• Navios EX Flow Cytometer and Attune NxT Acoustic Focusing Flow Cytometer – for immunophenotyping and cell marker analysis.

Cytogenetics Laboratory

• AmScope Fluorescence Microscope – essential for cytogenetic studies.

Molecular Genetics Laboratory

• Hydrasis 2 SCAN (Sebia) – for gel electrophoresis of urine and serum proteins, immunofixation, and hemoglobin electrophoresis.
• Bio-Rad CFX96 Touch Thermal Cycler – used for viral detection and mutation analysis.
• Procleix Panther System – a fully automated system for the detection of viral nucleic acids in donor blood.
• GeneXpert (Cepheid) – used for a wide range of molecular genetic analyses.
• Illumina MiniSeq – next-generation sequencing platform (currently not yet in active use).