The AUT Roche Diagnostics Laboratory serves as a training facility for our biomedical and medical laboratory science students. It gives our students access to the latest scientific testing methods in clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, immunology, haematology and other professional portfolios.
Used by students and researchers
The AUT Roche Diagnostics Laboratory is used by undergraduate and postgraduate (masters and doctoral) students, as well as by AUT research staff and external researchers.The lab is an industry and academic partnership between AUT and Roche Diagnostics Ltd NZ, specialists in science and engineering.
Lab machinery and setup
Our machinery and equipment is state-of-the-art and we use it for research and cross-departmental working, as well as for teaching. AUT is the only university in New Zealand with a facility like this.
A central work area encourages collaboration
The lab’s layout is designed to support collaboration with lab users facing each other around a central workbench. This allows for direct discussion while carrying out practical work. Equipment and machinery lines the lab’s walls.
List of lab equipment
Our equipment is used for testing in clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, haematology and immunology. Instrumentation includes:
- A Sysmex® XT-Series Automated Haematology Analyser
- A cobas Modular suite with 3 modules – ISE, P800 and E170 – for high throughput testing in clinical chemistry
- A cobas c111 for low throughput testing in clinical chemistry
- A cobas TaqMan 48 Analyzer for molecular testing in diagnostics (eg HIV, HBV and HCV viral loads)
- A suite of real-time PCR machines of the LightCycler family (2.0, 96 and 480) for molecular testing in research (eg relative expression, gene knockdown, high resolution melting)
- A MagNA Pure LC2 instrument for automated extraction of nucleic acids from biological specimens.
Students and teaching: using the lab
As a student, you’ll get practical learning experience and hands-on training by using facilities and equipment that are standard in an industry setting.
Your experience in the AUT Roche Diagnostics Lab can help you secure clinical placements and provide an excellent foundation for your career.
Bachelor’s students
Bachelor’s degree students begin using the lab in their second year of study for lab-based classes of 3-4 hours.
As a future scientist, you’ll use the lab and its equipment to analyse specimens (eg testing blood for glucose or insulin). To be able to carry out this kind of work, you’ll learn how to use the machines – including what to do if things go wrong.
Knowledge you can apply in an industry setting
You’ll learn to check, control, calibrate and maintain the machines, as well as how to analyse test results.
This work prepares you for using automated machinery in an industry setting – once you graduate, you’ll be able to operate similar machinery with confidence. You’ll be as familiar with how the machinery works as you will be with analysing results and system solutions.
Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Research and partnerships
We have connections and partnerships with people across New Zealand and around the world. We welcome researchers outside AUT to use our lab facilities.
Some of our current research includes work around:
- Immunology
- Clinical chemistry
- Molecular diagnostics
This is being carried out in diverse areas such as aquaculture, inflammatory processes, nutrition, and sports and science etc.
Lab background and information about Roche
The AUT Roche Diagnostics Laboratory opened in June 2014 and is the first research lab of its kind in New Zealand. The project was led by Dr Fabrice Merien, Director of the AUT-Roche Diagnostics Laboratory and Head of Biomedical Science at AUT.
About Roche Diagnostics Ltd NZ
Based in Mt Wellington, Auckland, Roche has a team of 53 dedicated specialists in science and engineering.
Roche has a proud tradition of innovation in healthcare. They aim to make a sustainable, long-term impact in patients’ lives while managing disease and healthcare costs, by developing new diagnostic tools to support healthcare professionals and patients.
Roche believes in continuous improvement of the solutions and services they provide.