Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research

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Provides integrated high-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies

The CPGR provides integrated high-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies with bio-computational pipelines to create fit-for-purpose offerings for users in academia and industry. This assists in the development of unique solutions for biological challenges in the human health and agricultural biotech sectors. The CPGR Platform provides capacity development via joint projects to empower researchers in the use of cutting-edge technologies for the development of market-driven products and services.

Key Focus areas​

  • The Platform provides state-of-the-art technologies with bio-computational pipelines to render services and support projects in the life science and biomedical sectors. The CPGR processes are run under a defined quality management system, ISO 9001:2015 certified.
  • The CPGR is equipped to conduct standardised or bespoke training and development in Proteomics and Genomics through various media platforms by our very own CPGR’s OMICS specialists. Furthermore, the CPGR also hosts an Academy and one of the main courses that is offered through the Academy is the Foundation in Omics (FIO) course. The FIO course is conducted either physically or on an online platform in partnership with LabVine.

Key Projects

Mediclinic Precise

Mediclinic Precise, formerly Artisan Biomed, aims to implement three distinct solutions: the provision of precision disease and health management services, translational research services and the development of tailored medical solutions for people of African descent. This is achieved by aggregating data and using AI-based means to create further value. Artisan Biomed gained investment in 2022, through a subscription agreement with Mediclinic International plc. The CPGR as the minor shareholder of the newly named “Mediclinic Precise” is the service laboratory of choice.

H3Africa-iScan

The H3Africa is the biggest Genomics research program on the African continent.

H3A procured the Illumina iScan, placed at CPGR, the iScan is a a high-end microarray platform. The iScan was placed at CPGR in February 2018 to run microarrays for H3A and other African scientists. Through support from Illumina, the CPGR can offer the service at a lower cost than Illumina’s service pricing, thus providing access to more array projects on the African continent as possible. The interest for the H3Africa array is continuously growing and the organisation has increased its throughput on the iScan with improved scheduling and higher throughput automation. The CPGR is running approximately 10 000 samples on arrays per annum on the iScan.

B😊2BU

Spread across the human genome, are patterns of genetic variation that represent different human populations, these ancestry informative markers (AIMs) can be used to determine an individual’s relation to specific populations. The B😊2BU (Be Happy to be you) genetic ancestry test screens more than 600,000 markers found in different population groups to date. Mapping an individual’s ancestry becomes more accurate as the amount of genetic information available about these diverse populations increases. The CPGR and now Mediclinic Precise can capture a client’s information, formal consent and payment for the ancestry test using an online ordering system. The B😊2BU ancestry test was launched on the takealot e-commerce platform in September 2020, which has resulted in an increase in both brand awareness and sales.

Website: https://www.cpgr.org.za/