KINGSTON, Jamaica — Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus and Pro Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Archibald McDonald, says that he is impressed with the work of Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN) – the DNA-testing facility at the UWI.

Professor McDonald noted that the UWI is moving to further advance its technology, so that the handling of DNA samples becomes an entirely automated process.

“With new instrumentation and technology being continuously implemented, the laboratory is now streamlined to allow for the efficient processing and high output levels of laboratory services,” Professor McDonald said.

He said that the lab has state-of-the-art technology that can handle and test various biological samples, with utmost accuracy and precision. Furthermore, the lab’s equipment is from companies, which are among those validated for use in forensic DNA and DNA diagnostic laboratories.

CARIGEN is a partnership of molecular biologists with extensive backgrounds in different areas of molecular DNA analysis, including Human DNA identification. CARIGEN has been supporting the region in DNA testing, assisting thousands of clients and specialising in areas of paternity, forensics DNA, STI testing, infectious disease identification, food/Water/GMO (genetically modified organisms) testing, plant identification, and plant virology.

CARIGEN’s director, Professor Wayne McLaughlin, who also serves as the deputy dean of Basic Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Medical Sciences and is an expert in molecular biology, says that CARIGEN is the only independent DNA diagnostic laboratory in the English-speaking Caribbean.

CARIGEN’s Chief DNA Analyst Compton Beecher, who has over 20 years of experience in Human DNA Identification, specialising in forensic science and DNA diagnostics in health care, says that that the lab is engaged in a range of projects currently, including testing for the Zik-V virus.

The lab has continued studies on breast cancer genes, which involves the identification of the mutated genes, looking at other genetic markers to include examination of the HLA gene as it related to Auto Immune Diseases.

It is also developing a DNA database of various specimens/strains of the cannabis plant, and currently working on food/water/GMO testing.

Balford Henry