South African Psychiatry - February 2019

FEATURE
CONCLUDING REMARKS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
The most sensible path to follow seems that (i)
where there are sufficient supporting data, (ii) these
are applicable to the ethnicity of the person in
question, and (iii) the information will impact patient
management, then pharmacogenetic testing is
appropriate. This is, of course, resource permitting.
IN OTHER SCENARIOS WHERE THERE
ARE INSUFFICIENT DATA, STANDARD
CLINICAL JUDGEMENT IS WARRANTED.
THIS SECOND SCENARIO IS CURRENTLY
LIKELY TO BE THE PREVAILING ONE IN
MOST SOUTH AFRICAN PATIENTS.
PHARMACOGENETICS
SOLUTIONS IN PSYCHIATRY
bonosi genomics, a division of Inqaba
Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd,
offers several human molecular
genetic assays.
BOX 1. The Agena MassARRAY iPLEX platform for SNP
genotyping
Following DNA extraction, the sample is subjected
to targeted PCR amplification of several regions
of CYP gene family. This is followed by primer
extension with the iPLEX extension reaction. The
extension products are desalted and dispensed
onto a SpectroCHIP Array and detected via mass
spectrometry using the MassARRAY technology
(credit: Agena Biosciences).
Cost-effective solution for
pharmacogenetics (PGx) testing using
the Agena MassARRAY system. The
assay provides simultaneous testing
of key pharmacogenetics variants and
copy number variation analysis.
Aron Berhanie Abera is currently employed as a technical
support manager at Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty)
Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa. He runs the MassARRAY SNP
genotyping platform at Inqaba Biotechnical Industries.
Originally from Eritrea he completed his undergraduate
study at University of Asmara, Eritrea, in 2001 and was
awarded a scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in
South Africa. He completed a Master’s degree in Human
Genetics, a Doctoral degree in Medical Biochemistry and
five-years of postdoctoral research in the Department of
Medical Biochemistry all through the University of Cape
Town. Correspondence: aron.abera@inqababiotec.
co.za
Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd.
PO Box 14356, Hatfield 0028
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 343 5829
E-mail: orders@bonosigenomics.co.za
www.inqababiotec.co.za
TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES
Dr AB Abera
Technical Support Manager
aron.abera@inqababiotec.co.za
PATHOLOGY ENQUIRIES
Dr PM Durand
Consultant Molecular Pathologist
pierre.durand@wits.ac.za
30 * SOUTH AFRICAN PSYCHIATRY ISSUE 18 2019