Scientific Infrastructure

QUALITY ASSURANCE AT NIOH

The NIOH has a culture of Quality excellence and currently has maintained accreditation through the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) for the following standards:

  • ISO 15189 (Medical Laboratories)
  • ISO 17025 (Testing and Calibration Laboratories)
  • ISO 17020 (Competence for iNspection Bodies) and
  • ISO9001:2015 (Quality management)

The Toxicology & Biochemistry Section is also currently underway with a pre-inspection for Good Laboratry Practice (GLP).

In terms of the available Laboratory infrastructure at NIOH  please click on one of the labs below to learn more:

ASPIRE Laboratory

The NIOH / NHLS, hold the blueprint for ASPIRE (Aerogen Science – Promoting Innovative Research) laboratory, which is a state-of-the-art facility and the ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD. It serves as a global resource for research into preventive interventions that reduce airborne infectious pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB).

The ASPIRE Lab resides within the Bioaerosol Unit of the NIOH’s Immunology & Microbiology Section. This Unit specialises in airborne hazardous biological agents (HBAs) common in the workplace.

The ASPIRE lab is a custom-made high containment biosafety level 3 laboratory, which is different from other BSL 3 laboratories. The lab aims to prevent bioaerosol transmission by assessing the efficacy of infection control devices and the performance of new innovation or products. This is to ensure they meet disinfection standards and concur with stated claims.

Click on the video below to learn more about the Services the ASPIRE Lab provides.

To enquire about device testing or if organisations wish to collaborate on research, kindly contact Dr Tanusha Singh on 011 712 6475 or Ms Dikeledi Matuka on 011 712 6487

Genotoxicity Unit

This Unit is able of screening compounds, such as chemicals, particulates and nanomaterial, using validated in vitro genotoxicity and cytotoxicity test systems, all performed under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines.

Genotoxic tests are designed to experimentally determine the ability a compounds to adversely affect the genetic material (DNA), in so doing damaging the genetic material either directly or indirectly in cells.
The Genotoxicity assays include:

  • Comet Assay or Single cell gel electrophoresis
  •  In vitro Micronucleus Assay

For more Information about the Genotoxicity Unit, contact:

ASPIRE Laboratory

ASPIRE Laboratory