Transplant/Immunogenetics Testing

Transplant testing has a long history at UCLA: HLA typing was pioneered here in the 1960's under the direction of Dr. Paul Terasaki. His development of the microcytoxicity test in 1964 marked the beginning of international testing and standardization of HLA typing. The UCLA Immunogenetics Center has retained its leadership position in HLA research, and in the development of accompanying diagnostic testing. In the intervening years, laboratory and scientific personnel, from the US and abroad, have learned HLA typing through courses and workshops at the UCLA Immunogenetics laboratory. The UCLA Immunogenetics Center (UIC) has expanded the laboratory's extensive basic and applied research to the development of a comprehensive outreach program. The center provides immunogenetics and histocompatibility testing services to a wide range of physicians, patients, pharmaceutical companies and other medical facilities. The laboratory is a World Health Organization reference laboratory for HLA. Licensed by the State of California and New York, CMS certified and accredited by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics.

Tests and services offered in Transplant Testing:
HLA-A, B, C, DR, DQ, DP Typing
• Tests of HLA-class I (A,B,C) and class II (DR, DQ, DP) gene polymorphisms are integral for solid organ and bone marrow transplants
ANTI-HLA ANTIBODY TESTING
• Tests for the presence of circulating anti-HLA antibodies that can result in failed transpants