Description
The Institute for Medical Research (IMR) began in 1900 with a proposal from Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham, the Resident-General of the Federated Malay States, to establish a Pathological Institute in the country to perform research into the causes, treatment and prevention of major tropical diseases, such as beri-beri and malaria. The setting-up of the Institute was made following the resolution in Europe of the Conference of Berlin in 1885 to undertake such activities as to promote the moral and material well-being of the native population and to explore the great and unknown field of tropical medicine. At present, the IMR has grown into a world-class facility supporting research and diagnosis. Specifically, the Molecular Genetics Laboratory under the Cancer Research Centre of the IMR is the referral centre for DNA analysis of thalassaemias and other haemoglobinopathies. The routine tests include various multiplex PCR to detect point mutations and deletions within the alpha and beta-globin genes. Services also include the detection of rare variants and deletions using direct sequencing (for alpha, beta, and delta-globin genes) and MLPA (for alpha and beta-globin genes), respectively.
Organisation's Type
Research Center, Medical Center, Diagnostic Center
