3. 3
Overview
Ifakara Health Institute (lHI)
Non-profit research and training institute whose
mission is to develop and sustain a district-based
health research and resource centre capable of
generating new knowledge and relevant
information for public health policy and actions
IHI is among the leading health research institutes
in Africa
4. 4
Overview
LABORATORY UNIT
Core service unit of IHI, was established to support
laboratory based research activities
Two modern laboratories, located in
Ifakara and
Bagamoyo
IHI laboratory unit - have optimal resources including man
power and infrastructures (buildings and equipments)
5. 5
IHI LAB ACTIVITIES
RESEARCH:
Provide laboratory-based technical support to the research
projects
- Currently the 2 labs supports over 16 projects
TRAINING:
Provide training and supervision to local and international
students during their field practicals
Provide practical training and supervision to laboratory
technicians/ visiting scientists
In future – part of PhD, MSc students traininf – Nelson
Mandela –Arusha Institute of Science and Technology
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SERVICES:
Provide quality and timely diagnostic services to study patients
and non study patients
Analyze samples from other Institutions
- NIMR-Tanga,
- KCMC,
- Tanzania Tsetsefly Research Institute and
- Zanzibar Malaria Control Programme (ZMCP)
IHI LAB ACTIVITIES
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OPERATIONAL LAYOUT
Head of Laboratory services
Laboratory manager
QA Manager
Director
Section leader
INSTITUTE
Branch/ laboratory
Section/functional unit
8. 8
SECTION
1. Biochemistry
ACTIVITIES
Electrolyte analysis using Cobas integra – 60
samples /cycle
2. Hematology Full blood picture- Sysmex
3. Immunology ELISA,PBMC Isolation and stimulation, IPT 10
ELISA, CD4/CD8 Count
4. Molecular biology Genotyping of pathogens – TB and malaria by
conversional PCR, RT-PCR and Massarray
technology
5. Microbiology
6. Parasitology
7. Helminthology
8. BSL 2 Facility + TB
9. BSL 3 (Virology)
Analysis of blood, urine, stool, CSF samples
Detection of malaria parasites
Diagnosis of helminthes
For isolation and culturing Mycobacteria
Under construction
Operational layout – BAGAMOYO LAB
9. 9
SECTION
1. Biochemistry
ACTIVITIES
Biochemical tests using automated equipments
2. Hematology ESR, full blood picture- Sysmex
3. Immunology ELISA,P24, Rapid Plasma Regin, CD4/CD8
Count
4. Molecular biology Mosquito genotyping, Viral load determination,
DNA/RNA extraction, - In the near future -
SEQUENCING
5. Microbiology
6. Parasitology
7. Histopathology
Analysis of blood, urine, stool, CSF samples
Detection of malaria parasites , Diagnosis of
helminthes
Diagnostic purposes- tumors
Operational layout – IFAKARA LAB
10. 10
LAB EQUIPMENTS
The IHI laboratories are equiped with basic and
advanced equipments that allows conventional
and state-of-the art analyses
12. GEN PROBE system
A system of nucleic acids amplification – uses rRNA as template
- 10X more sensitive than conventional PCR
- Currently we use for diagnosis of STDs-
LAB EQUIPMENTS - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SECTION
13. Diagnosis of infectious diseases
Detection of genetic diseases
Determination and quantitation of
microbial contaminants in samples
Gene expression studies
Real time PCR-Machine (Mx 3005, StrataGene)
LAB EQUIPMENTS - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SECTION
14. Near Infrared spectroscopy
For mosquito genotyping and age determination -under validation
Originally – used in Agricultural entomology
LAB EQUIPMENTS - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SECTION
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MassArray for Genotyping, Comparative Sequencing
& Quantitative Gene Analysis
TB drug resistance study in Bagamoyo
LAB EQUIPMENTS - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SECTION
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HISTOPATHOLOGY
For disease diagnosis – recently established in Ifakara, Tissue
preparation will be done in Ifakara, the diagnosis will be done by
pathologist in Switzerland instantly (Telepathology)
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IMMUNOLOGY
FLOW CYTOMETER (FCM)
FCM – for phenotypic and functional analyses of immune cells
Currently - is the only technology platform that suitably can analyze the complex
components of the immune system
FACSCALIBUR (3 or 4 color) 8 color flow cytometer
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STAFFING THE LAB
Are recruited by Research Projects depending on
- What type of expertise is required for the project
- Funding level – how much grant money the project have
- How much time will be devoted for training (Experienced
intermediate or little experience)
Current lab staff education backgrounds:
SUA – BSc (Biotechnology and Laboratory science)
UDSM – BSc (Biotechnology and Molecular Biology)
Tumaini – BSc (Medical Laboratory)
RUCO - BSc (Medical Laboratory)
MUHAS – Advanced diploma in Medical Laboratory
Certificates in medical laboratory (Singida, Mvumi, Ikonda,
RUCO)
24. QUALITY ASSESMENT (QA)
IHI laboratory works according to Good Clinical
Laboratory Practice, including using SOPs for sample
handling, testing, reporting and storage
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25. QUALITY ASSESMENT (QA)
IHI laboratories equipment and procedures are subject to both
internal and external quality control (QC)
Internal QC is performed daily on all analyzers and all records are
stored within the laboratory for verification
IHI internal quality assurance personnel perform the general
assessment and auditing of the laboratory activities
Also
IHI performs external QC for malaria slide reading with KEMRI
Perform QA for malaria RDTs from ZMCP
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26. QUALITY ASSESMENT (QA)
External QC is performed in collaboration with several external
agencies
Microscopy - National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), SA.
Hematology - Sample surveys with Birmingham Quality (Birmingham, UK).
Biochemistry - Sample surveys with UK NEQAS, (Sheffield, UK).
IHI laboratory activities (Bagamoyo) are currently subjected to external
quality assessment through Contract Laboratory Service (CLS) and
the GlaxoSmithKline quality assurance manager, SA.
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CHALLENGES
Research environment is challenging requires flexibility - thinking,
working hours, optimization of protocols (which works better)
Technological challenges - technology is changing very fast –
Automated, high throughput equipments are being developed, -
therefore on job training is necessary
Some research materials are not available in the local market
therefore require importation from abroad – Takes long time of
protocol optimization – lack of flexibility and options
