Department of HLA

The Department of HLA is part of the Research Division, The IHBT Lab Complex and the National Reference Laboratory for DNA Diagnostics. The Department of HLA has been accredited by the European Federation for Immunogenetics since 2007.

Main focus of our laboratory is the examination of patients necessary for searching suitable donors for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and post-transplant monitoring. We primarily perform genotyping of HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) on high resolution level and testing of KIR genes (Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors). For post-transplant monitoring we perform chimerism testing using genotyping, quantification of variable polymorphisms of Short Tandem Repeats (STR) and short insertions and deletions.

Further we specialize in disease association studies, mainly HLA genes associated with the risk of Coeliac Disease.

For this testing we provide reference services to Czech medical laboratories. This includes coordination of the tests and information within other DNA typing labs in the Czech Republic. Our qualified experts provide professional consultations and we organize international External Proficiency Testing.

We use molecular genetics methods for all tests.

The Department of HLA consists of two working groups:

• HLA Genotyping Group
• Examination of Cell Chimerism

Other activities of the laboratory

We participate in a project focused on monitoring patients with low-grade gliomas. Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors. We use molecular genetics methods – Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) for the monitoring of BRAF gene aberrations and mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 a 2 genes (IDH1 a IDH2). The next method is methylation specific MLPA for the monitoring of O6-metylguanin-DNA-methyltranferase gene (MGMT) promoter.