NCDC-Lugar Center Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory is responsible for detection of variety of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens in clinical samples collected from patients, as well as environmental samples obtained during the field works. It is also responsible for further investigations of detected pathogens, such as typing and finding of relationships among of those samples based on phylogenetic studies.

The laboratory uses a variety of modern molecular methods to achieve these goals. Mentioned test algorithms were gradually being introduced in routine use during the last ten years. This includes:  Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR); Real Time PCR using fluorescent probes; Pulse Filed Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE); Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis (RFLP); Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP); Multi Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA); Sanger sequencing method; Since 2013 laboratory was enriched with Next Generation platform – Illumina MiSeq, that gives an opportunity to perform whole genome sequencing of viral and bacterial pathogens (WGS, Whole Genome Sequence).  

Molecular epidemiology lab, together with other laboratories of NCDC assists to epidemiological service to detect various pathogens circulating in different regions within the country. Thus facilitates to the Full-fledged epidemiological control in country.

Laboratory is actively involved in scientific researches, publishes scientific journals in international high impact factor journals. In the last 2014 year the scientists of mentioned lab have presented 15 posters and oral presentations for international conference meetings and published 5 scientific papers.

In order to increase the knowledge and improve the working skills, the laboratory personnel have undergone trainings in leading research institutes and universities of United States Europe.

Nowadays they are extensively involved in trainings of local and international students and colleagues to help them obtaining of the latest techniques of molecular detection and typing.