Diagnostic service delivery
The Human Molecular Biology Unit comprises two diagnostic laboratories: the GMO Testing Facility and the CML Diagnostic Laboratory. The GMO Testing Facility was established in 2004 to provide a routine diagnostic service to the agricultural and food industry in South Africa for status certification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed for regulatory purposes. The GMO Testing Facility is approved by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in line with national regulations to perform GMO status certification in South Africa. The CML Diagnostic Laboratory performs specialised Molecular Biology tests to diagnose and monitor patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The diagnostic laboratories function according to ISO17025 and regularly participate in international proficiency trials. All postgraduate students in Human Molecular Biology receive training in good laboratory practice through the diagnostic platforms in the department.