The Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Genomics (Prof. Sasho Panov and Prof. Slavica Josifovska) was established in 1998, and in 2021 it was completely renovated in terms of infrastructure according to the most advanced standards for medical laboratories. Through a scientific research project of special public interest, funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as through donations and funds provided by the Faculty in a total amount exceeding 300 000 euros, a large number of sophisticated instruments for molecular-genetic and genomic analyses were acquired.
Among the obligations following the completion of the project is for the laboratory resources to provide functional and practical support to public institutions. The potential for healthcare activities in the field of molecular diagnostics primarily stems from decades of scientific research and applied work, as well as experience in higher education at all three levels: undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies. The majority of the personnel who lead activities and/or perform analyses in molecular diagnostic laboratories in most public and private healthcare and scientific institutions in the country have been educated in this Laboratory. The two professors involved in the Laboratory’s work have defended doctoral dissertations in the field of molecular biology (molecular-genetic biomedical topics), have over 20 years of experience in laboratory analyses for both public and private healthcare, and have published numerous professional and scientific papers with an impact factor.
At the Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Genomics, advanced molecular diagnostic analyses are performed, mainly using gene panels for targeted, massively parallel next-generation sequencing (NGS) in various oncological conditions. These are among the most modern and sophisticated genetic analyses used to detect the presence of various gene mutations in tumor DNA from tissue samples of cancer patients. The professional interpretation of data on individual mutations and their combined presence in a tested sample can assist oncologists in selecting the most appropriate targeted and other oncological therapies, monitoring disease progression, and making other important clinical decisions.
With the advancement and applied diagnostics of the Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Genomics, the conditions for student’s practical training have been raised to the level of foreign universities. The availability of modern equipment enables members of the Institute to plan research and projects that include molecular biology techniques with active applications across all biological fields.
Collaboration with laboratories abroad enables continuous progress in line with the standards applied there. Through such cooperation, resources are developed and new analyses are introduced, with the aim of increasing scientific and applied-diagnostic competitiveness through modern and sophisticated equipment, as well as education and improved training of the Laboratory team in new techniques. The focus of future research is in line not only with the goals of the National Research Strategy but also with regional, national, and European research priorities that define the themes of international research projects. The ultimate goal is to disseminate results at the international level through publications in peer-reviewed journals and participation in international conferences, thereby promoting Macedonian science.
