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In 1928, the IMR started a section that began the production of vaccine lymph for immunization against small pox. In 1930, this section was named the Lymph Station. The Division of Serology was subsequently formed in 1946. In 1972, the name was changed to the Division of Serology and Immunology. In the recent reorganisation of the IMR in 2001, the Division was renamed the Allergy and Immunology Research Centre (AIRC).
• The Division was the first to set up HLA typing services for the country and is involved in kidney, heart and bone marrow transplantation programmes
• The Division was the first to carry out CD4 enumeration for HIV patients. The CD4 count for the enumeration of T and B cell subsets was first done using light microscopy. The first flowcytometry laboratory was established by this Division.
• This Division has the first and only laboratory to provide diagnostic services for Primary Immunodeficiencies
• This Division has established the first and only Allergy Clinic within the Ministry of Health
• This Centre has set up the first and only bone marrow donor registry in Malaysia ( Malaysian Marrow Donor Registry ) in 1999
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES/CONTRACT RESEARCH
• Skin test allergens for the diagnosis of allergy
Testing for allergic reaction |
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• Skin sensitization and primary skin irritation tests for commercial products
• Serum Lipoprotein A assay
Commercialization Potential
• More than 40 local allergens have been produced for use in skin testing which contribute to the diagnosis of allergies
• A lipoprotein (a) rapid test kit for assessment of coronary heart disease
The main areas of research carried out by the Division include:
• Allergy
- Allergy research includes testing of individuals against various allergens including rice, latex and seafood and honey.
• Leukemia
- Chromosomal translocations in leukaemia
• Disease association with genetic markers
- Association of HLA-B27 with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Malays
• Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity (meaning self-immunity) is the phenomenon when immune cells mistake the body's own cells for invaders (as germs) and attack them. Any part of the body can be affected and sometimes many parts of the body are affected at once. No one knows why the immune system makes such mistakes. But most scientists think that genes and factors in the environment may be implicated in causing autoimmunity. Having certain genes or a combination of genes will certainly lead to a higher risk of developing an autoimmune disease. The disease syndrome will appear only when something in the environment turns on the immune system. This may include the sun, infections, drugs, or, in some women, pregnancy.
- Studies on the distribution of biomarkers for autoimmune diseases in the Malaysian population; and its usefulness as a tool for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response.
- Studies on antigen-driven autoimmunity due to environmental factors and/or infectious agents.
- Autoantibodies as immune system reporters in cancer.
Autoimmune diseases often don't show a clear pattern of symptoms at first. So diagnosing them can be hard. But clues may be found in a blood sample. For example, people with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis often have certain autoantibodies in their blood. Autoantibodies are blood proteins formed against the body's own parts.
Research thrusts:
In depth studies on biomarkers, molecular mimicry, and gene expression in autoimmune diseases
Production of recombinant allergens for use in diagnosis and immunotherapy
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The Division allocates a considerable number of resources to diagnostic tests. They may be broadly classified as the tests for:
• Allergy
• Skin tests
• Histocompatability testing
• HLA Class I and II
• Cross matching
• Immune Function
• Immunoglobulin Quantitation,
• Complement Quantitation,
• T & B cell enumeration,
• Lymphocyte Transformation Test
• Phagocytic Function
• Autoimmunity
• Antinuclear Antibody Test (ANA)
• anti-dsDNA,
• anti-Sm,
• Sjögren's syndrome antigen (SSA, SSB);
• Scl-70 antibodies
• anti-centromere
• anti-histone
• anti-RNP
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The MMDR is a database/registry of people who are willing to donate their bone marrow to a patient in need. It was set up in December 1999. It is a joint project of the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Council (MAKNA) and the Institute for Medical Research. To date there are more than 12,201 registered donors. Our target is 40,000. The MMDR encourages the public to register. In Malaysia , a bone marrow transplant is most commonly carried out for patients who have leukemia or thalassaemia. Other diseases which may require a bone marrow transplant include lymphomas, immunodeficiencies and aplastic anaemia. More than 3,000 children are diagnosed with leukemia every year and to date there have been more than 500 bone marrow transplants carried out in Malaysia.
Patients who require a bone marrow sometimes do not have a family member who is suitable. They are compelled to search for an unrelated compatible donor. The chances of finding a compatible donor are quite small and depend mainly on the size of the registry. The larger the registry the higher the chance of finding a donor. Most countries have donor registries. It is estimated that more than 7 million people worldwide are registered donors. It is, however, easier to find a compatible donor within an ethnic group. This is why it is important that we have a donor registry.
Compatibility is determined by identifying certain proteins on the cell surface called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). A small amount of blood is required for this. A match occurs when the 6 HLA antigens found on a patient's white blood cells match the 6 HLA antigens found on the potential donor's white cells.
Bone marrow is spongy tissue in the bones that produce the body's stem cells. During a bone marrow transplant this is harvested and is used to replace the patient's bone marrow. The donor's marrow will replenish itself within 4 to 6 weeks.
The MMDR carries out various activities, which focus is on increasing the number of potential donors, such as it:
• organizes donor drives
• types donors and maintains the database
• handles search requests from hospitals in Malaysia and abroad
MMDR campaign: screening a potential donor |
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MMDR campaign: briefing session in progress |
MMDR campaign: student nurses being sreened as potential donors |
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There are more than 4,500 registered donors
For further information:
E-mail: mmdr@imr.gov.my
