CENTRE FOR CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR SCIENCES (CLIMS)

Centre for Clinical & Molecular Sciences (CLIMS) is a private not-for-profit organization created to undertake research and training in most of the scourging diseases and health challenges facing mankind and to develop appropriate diagnostic and treatment techniques. These diseases have eluded scientific intervention for decades; and the need to utilize cutting edge technology as well as unconventional approaches is advocated. In the process, the knowledge gained will be shared among professionals and learners in the relevant fields. These health challenges which shall be the focus of CLIMS include:

1. Infections whose treatments have eluded science;
2. Degenerative disorders;
3. Metabolic disorders;
4. Chronic illnesses.

In order to appropriately address these challenges, the Centre is organized into the following divisions:

• Chronic Degenerative Disorders;
• Clinical Medicine;
• Diagnostic and Forensic Services;
• Drug Development;
• Metabolic Disorders;
• Molecular and Regenerative Medicine;
• Oncology and Tumours;
• Parasitic & Microbial Infections;
• Stem Cell Technology; and
• Viral Infections.

The current areas of interest and focus include the development of new products and techniques in the treatment of HIV/AIDS; insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; arthropathies; hepatic atrophy; oesophageal cancer; and pancreatic tumours.

Backed by appropriate facilities, the Centre is also concentrating on DNA and protein analyses for laboratory and clinical use; stem cell research; and drug research and drug administration. The Centre’s international affiliate in stem cell technology is the Cryo-Cell International, Inc, Oldsmar, Florida, USA.

Besides research, the Centre shall offer services and training in its areas of strength. The Centre receives most of its funding from Global Health & Education Resources (RhesQ) under a specific mandate and arrangement. Its other funding comes from the various agencies and business enterprises especially from its principal sponsor, the Foundation Centre Limited, whose business profits compliments research and humanitarian activities.

In summary, CLIMS offers the vanguard of technology in the service to humanity for the benefit of mankind.

Background

CLIMS was founded on the premise that there was still a lot of gap of knowledge in the better understanding of the scientific basis for some of the health challenges facing mankind today. The brain behind the formation of CLIMS is its founding Chief Executive, Prof. Davy K. Koech, who, himself, is an accomplished and respected scientist. He has worked in the health and education sector for over 36 years and has participated in the establishment of a number of public institutions such as the Commission for Higher Education (1985) [now Commission for University Education], the attainment of university status by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT; 1994) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI; 1979). Having held several portfolios the National Government and in KEMRI and which span over a period of 36 years, including being the KEMRI’s Chief Executive for 22 years; Prof. Koech believes that he still has the dream, the vision, the energy and the ability to continue pursuing his passion in unraveling the secrets of life and its challenges. Armed with this enormous and unparalleled experience with international connections, and together with those who share the same vision, Prof. Koech has embarked on a new journey in providing solutions to these challenges through the new flagship, CLIMS. The Centre is focused on a programmed facility and human resource strengthening.

Laboratory Biosafety Levels

CLIMS shall have all the Laboratory Biosafety Levels. Generally, there are fourbiosafety levels for activities involving infectious microorganisms and laboratory animals. The levels are designated in ascending order, by degree of protection provided to personnel, the environment, and the community. The following are some brief descriptions of acceptable and recognized Laboratory Biosafety Levels:

Biosafety Level 1 (BS-1)

Biosafety Level 1 is suitable for work involving well-characterized agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans, and of minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. The laboratory is not necessarily separated from the general traffic patterns in the building. Work is generally conducted on open bench tops using standard microbiological practices. Special containment equipment or facility design is neither required nor generally used. Laboratory personnel have specific training in the procedures conducted in the laboratory and are supervised by a scientist with general training in microbiology or a related science.

Biosafety Level 2 (BS-2)

Biosafety Level 2 is similar to Biosafety Level 1 and is suitable for work involving agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment. It differs from BSL-1 in that (1) laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and are directed by competent scientists; (2) access to the laboratory is limited when work is being conducted; (3) extreme precautions are taken with contaminated sharp items; and (4) certain procedures in which infectious aerosols or splashes may be created are conducted in biological safety cabinets or other physical containment equipment.

Biosafety Level 3 (BS-3)

Biosafety Level 3 is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities in which work is done with indigenous or exotic agents which may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a result of exposure by the inhalation route. Laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic and potentially lethal agents, and are supervised by competent scientists who are experienced in working with these agents. All procedures involving the manipulation of infectious materials are conducted within biological safety cabinets or other physical containment devices, or by personnel wearing appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment. The laboratory has special engineering and design features.

Biosafety Level 4 (BS-4)

Biosafety Level 4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening disease. Agents with a close or identical antigenic relationship to Biosafety Level 4 agents are handled at this level until sufficient data are obtained either to confirm continued work at this level, or to work with them at a lower level. Members of the laboratory staff have specific and thorough training in handling extremely hazardous infectious agents and they understand the primary and secondary containment functions of the standard and special practices, the containment equipment, and the laboratory design characteristics. They are supervised by competent scientists who are trained and experienced in working with these agents. Access to the laboratory is strictly controlled by the laboratory director. The facility is either in a separate building or in a controlled area within a building, which is completely isolated from all other areas of the building. A specific facility operations manual is prepared or adopted. Within work areas of the facility, all activities are confined to Class III biological safety cabinets, or Class II biological safety cabinets used with one-piece positive pressure personnel suits ventilated by a life support system. The Biosafety Level 4 laboratory has special engineering and design features to prevent micro-organisms from being disseminated into the environment.

The Centre, therefore, can handle any microorganism without any danger of contaminating the environment or risk to the users of the facility.

Developmental Phases

To be updated in due time.

______________________________________________________________________________

Forensic Facilities and Qualifications

(Crime Laboratory and Medical Examinations & Analyses) 

Forensic facilities that shall be offered include, but not limited to:

Studies in Forensic Sciences