TIRANA, Oct 10 /ATA/The Genetics Laboratory at the “Mbretëresha Geraldinë” University Obstetric-Gynaecological Hospital (SUOGJ) offers advanced capabilities for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities and genetic diseases, combining modern technology with medical expertise.
Through specialised tests, the laboratory supports prenatal genetic diagnosis, investigations into the causes of infertility and the identification of inherited diseases.

These tests help establish more accurate diagnoses and improve healthcare for patients and their families.
Another significant development in genetic diagnostics is the use of advanced technologies for chromosomal analysis, including the chromosomal microarray method, which enables the identification of specific changes in genetic material.

Dr Evis Binaj, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, said: “We have just completed the collection of amniotic fluid from a patient who is 16 weeks pregnant. Both parents, the mother and the father, are carriers of beta-thalassaemia minor. Through amniocentesis, we can determine whether the baby will be healthy, will carry thalassaemia minor, or, most importantly, rule out the more serious condition, thalassaemia major.”

Joana Kalcuni, an embryologist and molecular biologist, said: “We are in the Genetics Laboratory at the ‘Mbretëresha Geraldinë’ Obstetric-Gynaecological Hospital. We are now at the stage where we will extract DNA and analyse the genetic material from the amniotic fluid collected from the patient.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr Merita Xhetani said: “We are now at the stage of extracting DNA and analysing the genetic material from the amniotic fluid collected from the patient. We will, of course, assess the quality of the DNA, which is a crucial step as it ensures that the subsequent genetic testing will be successful and that we can obtain a reliable result.
“Our laboratory is equipped with advanced technology that enables gene-level diagnosis of diseases such as beta-thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. We also have the capacity to identify certain chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 21, known as Down syndrome; trisomy 13, known as Patau syndrome; trisomy 18, known as Edwards syndrome; as well as certain changes involving the sex chromosomes, including the X chromosome,” she said.