Portfolio – Page 3 – Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre

This laboratory extends molecular-diagnostic services to the Mulago National Referral Hospital, Makerere University Hospital, and surrounding health facilities and it also participates in clinical and translational research. It is located on the top floor of the Pathology/Microbiology building and includes 225 sq. ft. for the pre-amplification room, 240 sq. ft. for the amplification laboratory, 340 sq. ft. for the post-amplification room, 120 sq. ft. for office space and 200 sq. ft. for the boardroom with video conferencing facilities installed. It is stocked with pipette aids (Pipetteman), electrophoretic equipment (BIORAD), hybridization oven (ProBot), -80ºC freezers (Brunswick), fridges and automated electrophoretic system (QIAgility). It has offices that are equipped with computers installed with up-to-date software used for analysis. The facility is air conditioned maintaining ambient temperature and keeping it dust free.

PCR – MakGen

Utilizing funding by the Government of Uganda (GoU) through PRESIDE, MakBRC developed a PCR kit that is used to extract viral RNA. The new product was named MakGen. It provides an estimated saving of UGX 2,500,000 for 250 Reactions.

Covid-19 RDT

Utilizing funding by the GoU through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MakBRC developed a Rapid diagnostics test named STDSAgX Covid-19 RDT®. This is an affordable, easy to use, and rapid point of care diagnostic test platform for Covid-19 which suites remote settings of sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated to cost less than 1US$ on the market once it is commercialized.

PCR Covid-19

Proficiency Panel Through a partnership with the Supranational Reference Laboratory, MakBRC developed a PCR Covid-19 Proficiency Panel. The Panel has been distributed to select Covid-19 testing centers in Africa for free. With this discovery validation of results is possible for all the partners. This Panel has greatly improved quality assurance in these African Covid-19 testing centers

Enzyme Production

Utilizing funding from GoU through PRESIDE, MakBRC developed and purified two enzymes (Phussion DNA polymerase and Reverse Transcriptase) on a small scale. The Phussion DNA polymerase: 5’- 3’ exonuclease activity is the basis for Real time PCR and Reverse Transcriptase which is essential in making cDNA out of Viral RNA. Both these enzymes provide an estimated saving of UGX 4,000,000 per 1,000 reactions.

Global Health Uganda (GHU) is a non-profit organization registered in April 2010 by Ugandan and American health scientists from Makerere University, University of Minnesota, and Michigan State University. GHU was formed to provide a collaborative platform for individuals and groups conducting scientific research especially within Uganda, through provision of the needed infrastructure for research.

Africa Suitcaselab is a project funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and an African-European partnership for development and deployment of rapid SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antigen detection assays by the Botnar Research Centre for Child Health (BRCCH). Both contain a multi-country blinded phase 2 study to evaluate rapid detection systems of SARS-COV-2.

THE PROJECT

The main aim is to evaluate 3 different point of need systems (isothermal amplification, peakPCR and rapid antigen test) for SARS-COV-2 through a multi-country blinded study and its implementation in low resource settings. Learn more about our projects.

The consortium consists of 3 European Partners (coordination and assay development) as well as 7 North and Sub-Saharan partners (diagnostic evaluation). Learn more about who we are.

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR HEALTH AND POPULATION RESEARCH (MUCHAP): Operating “The Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site” Makerere University Center for Health and Population Research (MUCHAP) is a corporate organ of Makerere University, and registered body-corporate, a company limited by guarantee, without having share capital. MUCHAP is governed by a Board of Directors and this is the supreme policy making body of the organization with representation from different stakeholders, including Makerere University, Ministry of Health, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, representation of the International researchers, Development partners, host districts of Iganga/Mayuge and the Private Sector. MUCHAP was registered in 2015 and it operates the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IMHDSS) which is a member of the INDEPTH Network.

The establishment of MUCHAP as a legal entity/company of Makerere University implies that it has flexibility to determine and drive its research agenda, has the mandate to unilaterally enter into collaboration with potential research and development partners or organizations, determine and manage human resources needs and related matters among other things.

The IMHDSS is a community based field research site and a training center established by Makerere University in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet-Sweden. The site started its operations in August 2004 and officially inaugurated in June 2005 by the Swedish Ambassador in Uganda. Makerere University established good working relations with the host districts and for over 10 years now, Iganga district has provided the site office space for its operations.

Newer Posts

Older Posts

Classic list

News

The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory

Innovations

PCR – MakGen

Covid-19 RDT

PCR Covid-19

Enzyme Production

Global Health Uganda

AFRICA SUITCASELAB

THE PROJECT

Makerere University Centre for Health and Population Research (MUCHAP)

Upcoming Short Course: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Free Physical Training Course: Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP)

Makerere Bioethics Conference 2025

Bioethics Center Publications – 2025

MakBRC Bioethics Center Publications

In short words

Quick Links

Important Links

Newsletter