Welcome to the JCRC Site
Plot 101 Upper Lubowa Estates
P O Box 10005, Kampala Uganda
Tel: +256 414 201147/8
Fax: +256 414 342632
e-mail: jcrc@jcrc.co.ug,
enquiries@jcrc.co.ug
Copyright © 1990 - 2011 Joint Clinical Research Centre. All Rights Reserved.
Joint Clinical Research Centre
For Excellence in Medical Research, Training and HIV Care
The JCRC-CASE collaborative Tuberculosis research laboratory
This is primarily a research laboratory, specializing in culturing TB samples for the Uganda-Case TB research projects recruiting at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University Medical School with capability of processing and decontamination of patient specimens, liquid cultures in the Bactec 960 MGIT instrument and solid cultures on 7H10 media to detect M. tuberculosis (Mtb). Additionally antigen based identification or molecular assays including PCR for identification of M. tuberculosis complex are performed on acid fast bacilli positive cultures, and drug susceptibility testing of Mtb isolates. Second line drug testing of multiple drug resistant (MDR) Mtb strains can presently be performed by the agar portion method. We are currently in the process of validating second-line drug testing in the Bactec 960 which will provide much more rapid results. A Roche LightCycler 480 real-time PCR instrument has recently been purchased which will enable rapid sputum testing of all TB suspects but especially HIV positive smear negative TB suspects who are often in need of the most rapid diagnosis of TB possible. When validated, this instrument will also allow for rapid MDR testing, strain typing and further molecular characterization of the Mtb strains in the Ugandan population.
JCRC Vision and Mission
JCRC Vision: A vibrant self-sustaining Centre of Excellence in Medical Research, Training and Healthcare Services.
JCRC Mission: To conduct Quality Medical Research and Training, provide equitable and sustainable HIV/AIDS care and other health care services in Uganda and other parts of Africa