The Rogosin Institute

The Rogosin Institute Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory

The Rogosin Institute Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory (IGT) is one of the largest solid-organ immunogenetics laboratories in the Northeast. The IGT laboratory, established in 1985 under the leadership of Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran and Dr. Marilena Fotino, carries the tradition of being one of the first laboratories to provide testing for transplants. Today, under the direction of Vijay K. Harma, PhD and Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran, the laboratory continues to provide the highest quality testing to determine compatibility between a patient and a donor. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, HLA antibody identification, and the cross-match for transplantation are done using the best technology. A highly professional staff is dedicated to the service of clinicians and their patients.

Over the years, the laboratory has grown exponentially in terms of the number of transplant centers it serves and the number of potential and actual transplant candidates it supports. Currently, Rogosin IGT serves five different transplant centers; New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, NYU Hospitals, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and North Shore University Hospital. It provides laboratory support for kidney, heart, liver, lung, and small intestine transplants as well as transfusion support for the NYPH-Blood Bank.

Hours of Operation

The IGT laboratory receives samples for testing Monday to Thursday from 7:30 AM until 6 PM and Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. IGT on-call staff is available for emergency testing 24/7.

To contact IGT call the main laboratory number at 212-772-6700.

HLA Typing

IGT uses a DNA-based molecular technology to type for HLA using polymerase chain reaction sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP) and polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP). Our platform for SSOP based HLA typing utilizes the latest xMAP technology from Luminex©.

The laboratory routinely determines HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-Cw, HLA-DRB1,3,4,5, and DQB1 products.

HLA typing for HLA-DQA1, HLA-DPB1 or high-resolution allele-level HLA typing is available by request.

Antibody Screening

Identification of anti-HLA antibodies against the donor is a critical component of the compatibility testing done in the immunogenetics laboratory. Post-transplant monitoring for HLA antibody aids in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection by the clinical transplant team. Post-transplant antibody testing is available by request 24/7.

Rogosin IGT performs HLA antibody detection screens and HLA antibody sprecificity determinations on the solid-phase Luminex platform. The solid-phase immunoassay detects IgG Class HLA antibody at very low levels and is considered the best method for defining HLA antibody specificity.

Cross-matches

The gold standard test for decision to transplant is the complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) cross-match. All kidney transplant recipients must have a prospective CDC cross-match. Our laboratory staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to perform this test for any potential recipient of a deceased-donor organ at any of the five transplant hospitals.

In addition, we routinely perform a sensitive cross-match using laser technology based flow cytometer to detect low levels of donor specific antibodies which may place the recipient at increased risk for proximate acute rejection episodes.

Consulting Services

Our laboratory provides immunogenetics consultative services, in addition to performing the tests, to each of the transplant centers.

For more information and a complete list of staff and services, call: 212-772-6700.