Autoimmune Unit team, led by Dr Siti Fatimah Abdullah
INTRODUCTION
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body's own cells or tissues, mistaking them for foreign invaders. There are around 80 types of autoimmune diseases that have been identified. Since this autoimmune-related disease is rare in the country and abroad, the need for special techniques for diagnostic services and further research related to this field is very necessary.
Therefore, the Autoimmune Unit was established on August 16, 2010, and serves as Malaysia's referral centre for autoimmune diagnostic services. The unit offers 11 different tests for diagnosing autoimmune disorders to both public and private laboratories. The Autoimmune Unit specializes in the detection of autoantibodies, using immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoCAP and immunoblot techniques.
Through research activities, the Autoimmune Unit aims to identify new biomarkers and the genetics of autoimmune diseases in the Malaysian population, improving the usefulness of these tools for diagnosing and monitoring treatment response.
Moreover, the unit is responsible for organizing the National Quality Assurance Program for Anti-Nuclear Antibody (QAP-ANA), which provides continuous assessments and educational programs for laboratories.
The team at the Autoimmune Unit includes a pathologist, medical officer, science officer, research officers, medical laboratory technologists and health care assistant. They are dedicated to educating students from local and international universities.
