Who are we?

The Clinical Laboratories and biobanking platform has a team of professionals dedicated to providing high quality testing and clinical diagnostic support services to the core MRC clinical studies and trials as well as any collaborative studies undertaken by the Unit. To do this, the laboratory operates a QMS based on the ISO 15189:2022 standard and GCLP to integrate the organisation, procedures, processes and resources.

Founded in 1988, a laboratory building was set up facilitating further growth,  including a specialized freezer archive to log and preserve biospecimen.

The Clinical laboratories have an eminent history of providing accurate and timely tests for the studies it supports.

The platform is led by a seasoned leadership team with areas of expertise in clinical lab research, Quality assurance, lab management and Biobanking

The role of the Clinical Laboratories is to provide essential support for research studies through state-of-the-art facilities and expert services. Operating from central laboratories in Entebbe, Masaka City, and Kyamulibwa-Kalungu district, our labs have evolved from basic setups to advanced multidisciplinary centers with comprehensive capabilities in hematology, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular diagnostics. 

Our Services

Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Services (CDLS)

Accredited to ISO 15189:2022 standards, our labs offer reliable diagnostics with cutting-edge technology in laboratory disciplines of haematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology and molecular biology. Our main laboratory in Entebbe, staffed by skilled technologists and managed by dedicated data, quality, and lab managers, ensures precision with high-throughput technology:

• C6000 - Processes 600 samples per hour.
• e411 - Immunochemistry analysis.
• BC-6200 - Hematology testing (110 samples/hour).
• C5800 - Molecular diagnostics, handling up to 150 samples daily.

At our Masaka and Kyamulibwa field sites, diagnostic capabilities include:

• c111 - Real-time chemistry analysis for over 60 samples in 8 hours
• Cobas Integra- (400 samples/hour)
• DXH560 autoloader haematology analyser

A fleet system with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certified transporters facilitates seamless sample transport, and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) securely backs up test results.

The Kyamulibwa site functions primarily as a sample collection point, with samples transported to Entebbe for processing.

Biobanking

The biobank has completed all the requirements of the UBC Office of Biobank Education and Research Biobank Certification Program. With over 80 ultra-low temperature freezers and bulk liquid nitrogen systems, our Biobanking unit preserves biological specimens dating back to the 1990s. The major service offered include sample processing, retrieval and distribution as well as international shipments.

Certified by the Canadian Tissue Repository Network, we maintain quality and traceability through sophisticated monitoring and management systems, storing plasma, whole blood, DNA, cell pellets, serum, saliva, urine, and PBMCs. Our biobank subscribes to global biobanking networks hence  , fostering collaborations and research and the staff are IATA certified.

Collaborations

Our platform is built on strong and dynamic collaborations with Government and Public Health Institutions, healthcare facilities, academic institutions and Research organizations that advance shared research goals and ensure compliance with global standards.

Examples of Our Collaborations:

• Partnerships with Ministry of Health and Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).
• Joint initiatives with regional hospitals in Entebbe and Masaka, and the Emergency Children's Hospital in Entebbe.
• Academic ties with institutions such as Makerere University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
• Research collaborations with organizations like the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC), and Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI).

Accessing the Platform

Researchers involved in studies aligned with our Unit's themes, or those with short-term, externally funded projects in Uganda and beyond, are welcome to access our resources.

To inquire about specific services, email: cdls@mrcuganda.org and biorepository@mrcuganda.org