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Molecular Medicine and Haematology

The Division of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, a joint initiative of the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), is characterised by diversity in its capabilities, contribution to teaching and training, research activities, and staff interests and skill sets. The division comprises a number of specialised units each of which addresses unique basic science and research, in addition to clinical and diagnostic aspects pertinent to Molecular Medicine and Haematology.

The division is represented in all five main teaching hospitals attached to the faculty, namely Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital (CHBH), Helen Joseph Hospital, Rahima Moosa Children’s Hospital and the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre. We continue to play a critical role in delivering quality diagnostic services to patients in South Africa both in the public and private sector, provincially and nationally.

The division is involved in extensive undergraduate teaching in a number of courses in the Faculty and facilitates training for a number of postgraduate students, as well as specialist training to registrars preparing for College of Medicine examinations.

Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit Investigation by the AGTRU team is focused on countering viral infections that cause serious health problems in South Africa.
Bleeding Disorders Research Unit On-going research in the unit includes clinical trials, investigator-initiated collaborative research projects and postgraduate research.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Haematology The haematology division continues to provide a comprehensive laboratory service to the hospital and surrounding clinics.
Clinical Laboratory Services (CLS) Support the teaching and research activities through the provision of laboratory services, diagnostic and research advice and data management support.
Clinical Haematology Unit Clinical Haematology provides a consultative service to indigent patients both in-patients and outpatients as well as private patients.
Early Infant Diagnosis Unit Aims to assist in delivery of quality HIV diagnostic services for infants and children by training, provision of technical assistance, research, monitoring and advocacy.
Evolution of Complexity Laboratory (ECL) The ECL is a curiosity-driven exploration of the molecular and cellular basis for increases in biocomplexity.
Flow Cytometry Unit The Unit is renowned for excellent quality control procedures and has national accreditation status (SANAS).
Helen Joseph Haematology Providing routine diagnostic service to the hospital and to several outlying hospitals and clinics.
HIV & Haematology Molecular Diagnostics Unit Provides HIV diagnostic and monitoring through early infant diagnosis, viral load quantification, genotyping and molecular support.
The HIV Pathogenesis Research Unit The unit conducts research to increase the knowledge base of HIV-1 subtype that can be translated into novel drug discovery and vaccine design.
Main Haematology Laboratory Responsible for diagnostic haematology and molecular medicine services, teaching and training as well as limited research and development.
National Priority Programme (NPP) Provide affordable, accessible HIV and TB diagnostic services that yield accurate, reliable, relevant and timely results.
Red Cell Membrane & Plasmodium Research Unit The unit carries out diagnostic investigations of red cell membrane proteins in haemolytic disorders where a membrane defect is suspected.
Research Diagnostics Laboratory Focuses on the design, development, evaluation and implementation of new diagnostic tests and quality management systems for assays specific to the developing world.
Somatic Cell Genetics Performs highly specialized tests to detect, characterize and monitor acquired genetic alterations in the context of disease, largely haematological malignancies.
Wits Pathology Donald Gordon Medical Centre DGMC has become a centre of excellence in Southern Africa for transplantation, specializing in liver, kidney and pancreatic transplants.
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