The Special Protein Unit (UPK) at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Kuala Lumpur is a specialized unit with the strength of eleven staff consisting of pathologist, medical and scientific officer, medical lab technologist and general care assistant.
The Special Protein Unit (UPK) is the sole provider for screening of Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG) and Alpha-1-antitrypsin Deficiency, which are rare genetic diseases to all government, private and university hospitals including private laboratories.
UPK has established many special protein tests including serum and urine electrophoresis, serum free light chain, beta-2-microglobulin, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal band, serum transferrin and serum alpha-1-antitrypsin providing facilities to all government hospitals over more than 10 years before method transfer to KKM hospital laboratories.
The Special Protein Unit will continue to expand the laboratory services in the field of protein and proteomics to all government hospitals using a wide range of protein detection methods for accurate genetic and metabolic diseases identification for appropriate treatment including precision medicine and personalized medicine for the parents/family affected.
Special Protein Unit, led by Dr Noor Hafizah Hassan
