The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has unveiled the FACS Discover S8 Cell Sorter, the most advanced system of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, to enhance research into cancer, infectious diseases, and immune system functions.

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Procured through internally generated funds (IGF), this state-of-the-art technology will eliminate the need to send medical samples abroad for specialized testing. Developed by Becton Dickinson (BD) International Ltd, the BD FACSDiscoverTMS8 Cell Sorter facilitates high-precision single-cell analysis, revolutionizing diagnostics and biomedical investigations.

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At the inauguration, NMIMR Director, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, underscored the machine’s transformative impact on Ghana’s healthcare landscape.

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“For numerous medical conditions, hospitals previously had to ship samples overseas, sometimes as far as South Africa,” she pointed out.

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She urged diagnostic laboratories to take advantage of this breakthrough, emphasizing that Ghana now possesses the technological capacity for in-depth disease analysis locally.

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“With this groundbreaking equipment, we can now assess immune responses to cancer, infectious diseases, and other conditions without outsourcing sample testing,” she added.

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NMIMR also introduced a newly renovated molecular biology suite, financed by the Government of Ghana, aimed at strengthening disease diagnostics, genetic studies, and epidemic response efforts.

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Prof. Yeboah-Manu highlighted the machine’s critical role in pharmaceutical research, vaccine trials, and monitoring cancer treatments.

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“Before deploying a vaccine, trials must evaluate immune system reactions. This technology allows us to conduct those assessments right here in Ghana,” she noted.

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She also emphasized its significance in cancer therapy, explaining, “By analyzing how cells respond to chemotherapy, this system enhances treatment strategies and improves patient outcomes.”

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Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director of Research, Innovation & Development at the University of Ghana, commended NMIMR’s achievements in medical research, affirming that the new technology would propel investigations in immunology, oncology, and infectious diseases.

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Prof. Michael Ofori, Head of NMIMR’s Immunology Department, assured that the machine would be fully utilized to secure research grants, attract further investments, and elevate Ghana’s position in cutting-edge biomedical research.

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