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Laboratories

MRC The Gambia Laboratories

The Unit runs a laboratory services platform comprising clinical and research laboratories equipped with modern cutting-edge technologies to support research activities across the three themes.

This core resource has the responsibility for providing reliable and efficient analysis of biological samples and delivery of results. This is achieved by maintaining excellent laboratory facilities with cutting‐edge technologies, establishing systems and processes that enable the production of high‐quality laboratory data and compliance to applicable international quality standards.

The department is broadly divided into:

  • Clinical laboratories
  • Research laboratories
  • Biobank facilities

In order to provide quality data which can be used for health research and patient treatment, the clinical laboratories including TB diagnostics have attained full GCLP certification and ISO 15189 accreditation of key diagnostic assays to support clinical services and clinical trials. The Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) integrates our major diagnostic equipment to effectively manage our samples and associated data. The research laboratories include molecular diagnostics, immunology, serology, malaria and vector biology, and microbiology laboratories, including a bio-safety level three laboratory for TB and other highly infectious pathogens.  Our field site laboratories in both Basse and Keneba which support research and clinical trials are also GCLP certified.

In addition, the labs also provide services to the general public and Gambian Ministry of Health (MOH) as part of our corporate responsibilities. This was more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when MRCG at LSHTM provided diagnostic and surveillance capacity for the fight against the pandemic.