Clinical services started from 1996. By 2001 additional services were planed for the expansion of diagnostic support and currently include the following:
1- Clinical Genetics Services:
The clinical service is the forefront of the following services, which involves the initial diagnose of genetic disorders through medical examinations. The team consists of medical doctors specialized in the filed of clinical genetics and genetic counselors that manage and treat, where necessary, the genetically related disorders and alterations encountered.
Since 2002, young clinicians from the University Hospital have been sent abroad to train in clinical genetics, which requires a commitment of over 5 years. Due to the duration of the medical specialization in genetics, this service is hoped to commence by June 2010. Once established, this service will involve 6 clinical genetists specialized in various subspecialties ranging from metabolic disorders to dismorphological disorders. Additionally genetic counselor will provide further support to the clinical setting.
2- Clinical Cytogenetics Services:
This service was initiated in 2001 with a focus on the chromosomal alterations relating to leukaemic cases, genetic syndromes, dysmorphic patients , other chromosome related disorders are offered as diagnostic tests. Molecular methods such as Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) are recently established for service. Each year, the section performs over 350 cytogenetic studies, with reports to all referring physicians.
3- Immunogenetic and HLA tissue typing Services:
This service involves HLA tissue typing, which is critical for successful transplantation. It has been running for over 15 years. It examines the compatibility between donors and recipients for kidney and bone marrow transplantations. Since the early days there has been much development of the specialty, with molecular techniques playing a greater part in the testing methodology. This is the only lab in the sultanate of Oman which offer this test.
The study of the human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) is performed in this division, where tissue typing service is done routinely to bone marrow and renal transplant patients. This is the only facility in the Sultanate of Oman offering this service.
Currently, the section performs tissue typing tests for over a 100 families per year.
4- Molecular Genetics Services:
This section involves the molecular study of different genetic disorders and complex diseases with a genetic basis. The investigations and studies are performed at the DNA level.Currently the service is at the earliest stage, with staff being trained in various techniques to suite the future requirements and requests from the different clinics.
Laboratory alterations and modifications are being made so as to provide the appropriate structure to start a molecular service. Currently, information on frequent cases are being compiled and investigated at a research level to facilitate the initiation of this service. It is hoped that by the end of 2010 specific diagnostic tests will be available for the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.