Molecular Medicine and Haematology

The Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology is a department in the School of Pathology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Its research centres on haematology and laboratory medicine, with a strong focus on haemophilia and coagulation disorders, including recombinant factor VIIa use and the management of transaminitis after factor VIII gene transfer. Work in gene therapy covers AAV and lentiviral approaches. Other strengths include diagnostic haematopathology, particularly lymphoma diagnostics in HIV prevalent settings, and molecular microbiology.

Further themes include quality assurance and standardisation of laboratory testing and equitable access to advanced therapies, alongside pulmonary ultrasound in critical care. The research is focused on South Africa, addressing bleeding management, safer gene therapy implementation and cost effective diagnostics in resource constrained settings.