AUT-Roche Diagnostics lab officially opens

AUT University has announced the opening of the AUT-Roche Diagnostics Laboratory in an example of the strong collaboration between the university and Roche Diagnostics - a partnership said to be the first of its kind in New Zealand.

The laboratory will provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with access to the latest scientific evaluations in chemistry, immunology and haematology. It will also be used for research and development of new molecular tests for the detection of pathogens and their emerging variants such as the flu virus.

“The university’s collaboration with Roche is further demonstration that AUT provides our students with a real-world learning experience, as this laboratory has state-of-the-art facilities which are used in industry,” said AUT Vice Chancellor Derek McCormack. “This collaborative relationship between AUT and Roche Diagnostics is an excellent example of a productive research partnership and industry investment.”

The project has been led by AUT Immunology Senior Lecturer Dr Fabrice Merien (School of Applied Sciences). Dr Merien revealed that the collaboration “has been in the works for more than a year” and “the feedback from industry regarding our graduates that have trained in the laboratory has been universally positive”.

The partnership extends beyond the laboratory to academic collaboration. It has included the judging of scientific posters at the Roche Diagnostics New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, co-sponsoring the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science poster session and teaching, with Roche product specialists and engineers training students on how to use and maintain the instruments. Earlier this year, the organisations held the forum ‘A local and global perspective on cervical screening with HPV’, showcasing their professional commitment towards better health for women in New Zealand.