The Kenya Medical Research Institute has established a new laboratory for research to conduct research in new and re-emerging pandemics and outbreaks.
The new laboratory that will be based at Kemri headquarters will develop rapid diagnostic solutions for Kenya, the East African region and the African continent.
The lab will support research in the development of medicines to treat some cancers and help the country to be better prepared for any likely emerging and reemerging infections.
It will also make it possible for the country to quickly develop diagnostics that are specific to emerging mutations, which often have to wait for the international response that may not even happen hence exposing the nation to health insecurity.
The laboratory contains a robust highly automated DNA Synthesizer and a Next Generation sequencer fully financed by the Government of Kenya through the Kemri Internal Research Grants.
It will now be used in the development of molecular diagnostic kits such as PCR, Rapid Test Kits and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), detection and characterization of DNA for any emerging or re-emerging infections.