The Division of Medical Virology

The Division of Medical Virology is involved in diagnostic virology, research and teaching.

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) virology diagnostic laboratory under Dr Diana Hardie provides a comprehensive service to Groote Schuur Hospital and Red Cross Children's Hospital. In addition it is the referral laboratory for a large proportion of the regional virology testing in the province. It offers a wide repertoire of tests in the fields of viral serology and molecular diagnostics. The laboratory has a special interest in molecular diagnosis of human viral diseases and performs an extensive range of 'in-house' and commercial molecular assays. It is a registered training laboratory with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

The Division of Medical Virology has a dynamic research programme. Its members are part of national and international programmes to discover an effective vaccine against HIV, with research focus in immunology, viral diversity and evolution, and vaccine development. They have developed candidate HIV vaccines that have been tested in clinical trials. They have an interest in human papilloma virus research, and are developing novel diagnostic tools for some of the more neglected but still clinically relevant viral diseases that are common in Africa. The division also participates in the WHO human papillomavirus laboratory network (Labnet).

CONTACT DETAILS

Head of Division:
Professor Carolyn Williamson

Secretary
Nyameka Mhlonyelwa-Mona

Tel:	+27 21 406 6983
Fax:	+27 21 406 6682

Medical School Laboratories:

Division of Medical Virology
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Cape Town
Observatory 7925
Cape Town
South Africa

Diagnostic Laboratories:

National Health Laboratory Service
C18, Groote Schuur Hospital
Observatory 7925
Cape Town
South Africa