Diagnostics

What we do

CSIR Diagnostics

Diagnostics

We apply a One Health approach – integrating human, animal and environmental health – to develop affordable, rapid and accurate point-of-care diagnostics tailored to Africa’s unique healthcare challenges and pandemic preparedness needs. Through advanced research, development and strategic collaborations, we address infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as emerging outbreak threats, strengthening health systems at national and continental health levels.

CSIR Diagnostics

Diagnostics

We apply a One Health approach – integrating human, animal and environmental health – to develop affordable, rapid and accurate point-of-care diagnostics tailored to Africa’s unique healthcare challenges and pandemic preparedness needs. Through advanced research, development and strategic collaborations, we address infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as emerging outbreak threats, strengthening health systems at national and continental health levels. clients to reduce the risk of harm from equipment failures or catastrophic accidents.

CSIR Diagnostics

Diagnostics

We apply a One Health approach – integrating human, animal and environmental health – to develop affordable, rapid and accurate point-of-care diagnostics tailored to Africa’s unique healthcare challenges and pandemic preparedness needs. Through advanced research, development and strategic collaborations, we address infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as emerging outbreak threats, strengthening health systems at national and continental health levels.

Contact information:

Dr Amanda Skepu
Programme Manager: Human Diagnostic Platform
@email

Dr Duduetsang Saku
Business Development and Commercialisation Manager
@email

Highlights

Man pointing at item

Rapid tests to screen food crops for destructive viral infections

New point-of-care virus diagnostic kits could soon help South African tomato, potato and banana farmers detect outbreaks early, preventing significant crop losses. In partnership with the Agricultural Research Council, the CSIR is developing antibody-based rapid tests for tomato spotted wilt virus, pepper ringspot virus and banana bunchy top virus. Researchers have successfully expressed the viral proteins in E. coli bacteria, with upscaling for mass spectrometry analysis underway to confirm each protein's identity. The next step will involve expressing the same viral proteins in tobacco plants. Read more.

Capabilities

We integrate multidisciplinary scientific expertise with state-of-the-art technologies to create robust, rapid and scalable diagnostic solutions tailored for Africa’s unique health challenges.  

Diagnostics
Lateral-flow assays

We develop portable, intuitive and rapid tests for reliable on-site screening – from clinics to remote field settings. Our lateral-flow assay platform delivers fast, user-friendly diagnostics for point-of-care use, with the capability to detect multiple targets in a single test (multiplexing) - from antibodies and antigens to other critical biomarkers. Applications span infectious and non-communicable diseases, food- and water-borne pathogens and zoonotic threats. Integrated with portable readers or mobile applications, our assays enable accurate result interpretation, secure data storage and seamless reporting, making them a powerful, low-cost solution for timely decision-making in human, animal and environmental health.

Diagnostics
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

We provide highly sensitive and specific detection of antibodies and antigens across a wide spectrum of diseases. Our enzyme-linked immunosorbent platform enables high-throughput, quantitative analysis of various biological samples, including serum, plasma and other bodily fluids. Renowned for its saccuracy and reliability, the platform is ideal for detecting proteins, antibodies and antigens. It supports diverse applications in clinical diagnostics, biomedical research and drug development, providing critical data for disease detection, vaccine evaluation and therapeutic monitoring.

Diagnostics
Quantitative PCR

We provide gold-standard molecular testing for accurate detection and quantification of genetic material, ensuring clinical-grade results. Our quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) platform enables real-time monitoring of DNA amplification, delivering precise insights into nucleic acid levels in biological samples. This powerful technology is essential for applications such as viral load testing, gene expression analysis, mutation detection and pathogen quantification. With its high sensitivity, accuracy and speed, qPCR is an indispensable tool for clinical diagnostics, biomedical research and public health surveillance.

Diagnostics
End-to-end assay development

From concept to clinical deployment, we provide a complete diagnostic development pipeline, optimised for quality and scalability. Our services include feasibility assessment and design optimisation; local sourcing and refinement of raw materials; prototype design, fabrication and iterative testing; clinical validation aligned with regulatory standards; and manufacturing process design for scalable, cost-effective production.

Our facilities

Our state-of-the-art laboratories support cutting-edge health and biotechnology research, diagnostics and product development. Purpose-built to accelerate innovation, they ensure the highest standards of biosafety while enabling rapid scale-up.

Vuyani Jarana
Biosafety laboratories

Our biosafety level 2 and biosafety level 3 laboratories are secure, fully equipped molecular biology suites designed for the safe handling of infectious agents. They support workflows such as nucleic acid extraction, quantitative PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and other molecular assays.

Nomsa Dlamini
Lateral-flow assay development facility

We have access to the CSIR/DSTI NanoMicro Manufacturing Facility, equipped for rapid prototyping and iteration. The facility features automated reagent dispensing and precision strip cutting, enabling consistent, high-quality test production.