Molecular Laboratory
Our Molecular Laboratory is comprised of two different sections, the histocompatiblity section and virology section.
The success of allogeneic transplantation depends in part on the accuracy of human leukocyte antigen. The Histocompatibility section of the Molecular Lab plays an important role in the selection of recipients and donors used for solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Three different technologies are implemented in our laboratory for Intermedia (SSOP & SSP) and High Resolution (NGS) Molecular HLA typing, providing our lab with a unique combination of flexibility and analytic capability for this critical assay. DNA analysis by short tandem repeats (STR) for Chimerism studies and other ancillary tests using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology are also run on this laboratory.
The Virology section performs PCR based analysis of multiple virus on transplant donors and recipients. The lab is able to detect and/or quantify the presence of these infectious agents from several sample sources (i.e. plasma, tissue, swab, media, etc) with extremely low limit of detection and quantification. This service offers the Transplant Programs the ability to do prophylaxis treatments and close monitoring of the vulnerable transplant patient population.
Immunology Laboratory
Our Immunology Lab supports the Miami Transplant Institute with approximately 500 solid organ transplants each year (i.e. kidney, pancreas, liver, gastrointestinal, heart, lung transplants), including some that are performed nowhere else in the county.
HLA antibody detection and identification, Crossmatch, Immunophenotyping, Human Cytokines levels and virtual Crossmatch are among the laboratory tests offered by the Immunology Lab. Automation, experience & crosstraining and an open space concept; are some of the key elements that allow this lab to be highly efficient and to provide 24-hour coverage for clinical consultation and assistance in final organ placement.
Core Lab: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Serology
Our Core Lab has an extensive menu of tests that provides a full range of diagnostic services with specific focus on clinical organ transplantation and donor screening.
The immunosuppressant drugs area of the Core Lab is one of the most technologically advanced laboratories of this nature in the United States. It uses a combination of liquid handling robot with high precision Mass Spectrometry (MassLynx/HPLC) for its applications with superior sensitivity and great throughput.
Core Laboratory is a key stepping-stone in the testing of infectious diseases for evaluation and selection of potential donors by the local OPO (LAORA). This essential service is offered 24 hours/365 days.
Anatomic Pathology Laboratory
The Anatomic Pathology Laboratory offers crucial support to LAORA, the local organ procurement organization, for deceased organ evaluation. Our laboratory offers 24/7 coverage for processing of tissue and pathologic interpretation. We process all donors tissue to make formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded permanent section slides to allow for a more accurate interpretation with less frozen section artifacts with a turnaround time of less than four hours.
Additionally, we offer same day interpretation of all allograft biopsies. Our laboratory is equipped to perform all relevant ancillary tissue studies including histochemical, immunohistochemical, in-situ hybridization and immunofluorescence stains, as well as electron microscopy. We also perform molecular studies on biopsy tissue including viral studies (BKV, CMV, EBV, adenovirus, parvovirus, and SARS-CoV-2), and T- and B-cell receptor rearrangement studies to support the diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.
Finally, donor chimerism studies in tissue can also be done to monitor for graft-versus-host disease.