Dubai Municipality has launched the ViruGenetics Lab at Dubai Central Laboratory, a first-of-its-kind facility in the UAE using digital PCR and genomic technologies to detect foodborne viruses with greater speed and precision, strengthening food safety and public health protection.

An image of a woman in a lab using genomic technologies to detect foodborne viruses

Source: Dubai Municipality

Dubai Municipality has launched the ViruGenetics Lab at Dubai Central Laboratory, using advanced digital PCR (dPCR) and genomic technologies to rapidly detect foodborne viruses including norovirus and hepatitis A and E.

Dubai Municipality has launched the ViruGenetics Lab, a new advanced testing facility dedicated to detecting foodborne viruses using cutting-edge genomic technologies. The lab is based at the Dubai Central Laboratory Department and marks the first facility of its kind in the UAE.

The initiative reflects Dubai Municipality’s ongoing commitment to strengthening food safety systems, safeguarding public health, and advancing laboratory innovation to enhance quality of life in Dubai.

The ViruGenetics Lab is designed to process around 60 samples per day, with capacity to scale up to 100 samples during emergencies. It delivers rapid turnaround times, supporting faster inspections and enabling more timely, data-driven regulatory decisions.

The facility represents a strategic expansion of Dubai Central Laboratory’s capabilities in line with international best practice in food control, while also supporting the development of globally recognised standards for laboratory testing and calibration.

At its core, the lab utilises digital PCR (dPCR) technology, one of the most advanced molecular diagnostic tools available. This enables highly sensitive and precise detection of viral pathogens, including norovirus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis E.

 

The system is particularly effective for complex food matrices such as dairy products, seafood, juices, and fresh produce, maintaining accuracy even in the presence of inhibitory substances. All testing is conducted in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards, ensuring high levels of quality, reliability, and analytical integrity.

Commenting on the launch, Eng. Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department at Dubai Municipality, said the facility forms part of a broader strategy to establish specialised laboratories equipped with advanced global technologies. She said the initiative reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in food safety and health oversight.

Beyond routine testing, the ViruGenetics Lab will also function as a scientific research platform, supporting collaboration with universities and research institutions. It aims to contribute to a national database of foodborne viruses and strengthen understanding of viral risks within the food chain.

By providing precise genetic-level data, the lab is expected to support more proactive, science-led decision-making across food safety authorities and further enhance the UAE’s health protection ecosystem.

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