Molecular Biology Laboratory (CIMBL)
A pioneering service in the Cayman Islands dedicated to providing advanced medical diagnostics to improve patient outcomes.
The Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory (CIMBL) utilizes molecular diagnostic testing to aid in the clinical diagnosis of patients and Public Health surveillance.
CIMBL primarily receives specimens from the various clinical departments within the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) and the Public Health Department. CIMBL also receives samples from local private healthcare providers, and on occasion, from other Caribbean countries.
Clinical Guidelines for Molecular Testing
About CIMBL
The mission of CIMBL is to prepare for and respond to the threat of infectious disease; to protect livelihoods, to save lives, and to reduce healthcare inequities for the people of the Cayman Islands. In working with national and international partners, and in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Government, CIMBL provides scientific and operational support to build the nation’s health security capability. CIMBL has adopted the ‘One Health’ approach to ensure the local capability of molecular diagnostic services across the Cayman Islands as a whole.
As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), ‘One Health’, “recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent. While health, food, water, energy and environment are all wider topics with sector-specific concerns, the collaboration across sectors and disciplines contributes to protect health, address health challenges such as the emergence of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and promote the health and integrity of our ecosystems. By linking humans, animals and the environment, One Health can help to address the full spectrum of disease control – from prevention to detection, preparedness, response and management – and contribute to global health security.” (WHO, 2025).
To achieve this mission, CIMBL rigorously validates its services prior to implementation and aims to be compliant with both ISO-15189:2022 and Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation standards. CIMBL maximizes the benefits of our testing services by establishing robust data-sharing linkages between various Public Health actors.
What is Molecular Diagnostics?
Molecular Diagnostics is a discipline of medical laboratory testing that uses proteomics and genomics to investigate genetic material (DNA, RNA, etc.) from humans, viruses, and microbes as biological markers of disease to aid in diagnostics and guide treatment
. Molecular diagnostic techniques, such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), represent a tremendous advancement in technology, which extends the range of information available to physicians, pharmacists, geneticists, Public Health, and other healthcare professionals for the management of outbreaks and human health.
What We Do
Real-Time PCR is a molecular technique that is used to detect and measure a specific genetic target, i.e., DNA or RNA, in real-time.
The process involves the repetitive amplification of a target genetic sequence of interest, for unambiguous identification of the target’s presence. Detecting a genetic target can infer the presence of the organism associated with that target.
For a detailed breakdown, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explains the various PCR techniques and how they are applied to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
WGS characterises the complete set of genetic material derived from an organism.
The information derived from WGS is important for:
- Identifying and tracking infectious disease outbreaks (Pathogen Genomics) and predicting microbial response to antibiotics through Antimicrobial Resistance Genotyping (AMR).
- Investigating inherited disorders (Clinical Genetics).
- Characterising mutations that underpin the progression of cancers (Oncogenomics).
- Prediction of response to drug dosage (Pharmacogenomics).
Pathogen sequencing is vital component of a modern Public Health response to infectious disease and is a key component of Genomic Epidemiology.
In leading jurisdictions, genomic epidemiology is already routinely integrated into many areas of clinical and public health, whether it is related to keeping the food chain safe from outbreaks, allowing tuberculosis patients to receive appropriate treatment and halt transmission, or to inform our choice of the most effective vaccines to deploy for seasonal influenza spread.
Built upon the capability established during the Cayman Islands response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, CIMBL now performs WGS for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A & B, Avian Influenza and bacterial pathogens.
This new capability provides the Cayman Islands Government with:
- An early-warning system for emerging infectious diseases and precise determination of new variants of infectious agents.
- An understanding of infectious diseases routinely circulating in the community and how those trends relate to global reports.
- Being able to identify the relationships between local infectious disease outbreaks, how they are spreading and their potential risk to the population.
- A national overview of the persistent and emerging trends in antimicrobial resistant infections, allowing for evidence-based policymaking on control measures.
- Information on how to deploy vaccines to support the interruption of disease transmission and achieve disease elimination targets.
Service Disclaimer
CIMBL does not offer diagnostic services to members of the public except via a registered medical practitioner. Results can only be issued to the requesting physician or medical facility and will not be given to patients directly under any circumstances.
We reserve the right to check the authenticity of callers to protect the confidentiality of patients’ personal data.
There are no clinical facilities within the Laboratory itself, and we are unable to see patients or give telephone medical advice directly to members of the public.
Our Testing Services
Clinical Tests Offered
CIMBL BioFire Respiratory PCR Panel
CIMBL BioFire Gastrointestinal PCR Panel
CIMBL BioFire Blood Culture ID 2 PCR Panel
CIMBL BioFire Meningitis/ Encephalitis PCR Panel
CIMBL BioFire Pneumonia PCR Panel
CIMBL Respiratory Virus PCR Panel
CIMBL High Risk Human Papilloma Virus PCR Panel
CIMBL Sexual Health PCR Panel
CIMBL Arbovirus PCR Panel
CIMBL Measles PCR
CIMBL Mumps PCR
CIMBL Monkeypox PCR
Public Health Tests Performed
Disclaimer: The Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory provides testing for organisms deemed of public health significance, as determined by the Department of Public Health and the Cayman Islands Government Ministry of Health.
This testing is to all the Public Health Department to undertake, as a function of national public interest:
- Surveillance and monitoring of infectious agents
- Preparedness and public health response to disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other emergencies
Public Health Testing Performed
- Dengue Serotyping PCR
- Avian Influenza PCR
- Influenza A Subtyping PCR
- Influenza B Genotyping PCR
- SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing
- Influenza Whole Genome Sequencing
- Avian Influenza Whole Genome Sequencing
- Bacterial Whole Genome Sequencing
International Collaborations
Collaboration with world-leading institutions and researchers enhances the quality of our laboratory services.
To this end, CIMBL has been actively engaged in three major global initiatives:
- The Global Initiative For Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID)
- The New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP) of the UK Health Securities Agency
- The WHO’s Global Influenza Initiative (GIP & FluNet).
CIMBL is the sole provider of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences for the Cayman Islands. This service was initiated as a part of the national Public Health response for the nCoV-19 Pandemic. By sequencing the entire genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Public Health can assess, in real-time, the different lineages or variants that are being transmitted throughout the population.
As a part of this national response, CIMBL also shares its data with the global scientific community by uploading the viral genomic sequences generated to the database within the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). This database is monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help update future versions of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. CIMBL’s real-time data output of genome sequencing results within GISAID are visualized below, via the interactive phylodynamic map.
The New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP) was a service lead by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which permitted the extension of UK capacity and expertise to assist other countries in the SARS-CoV-2 response effort. Specifically, the detection and assessment of new SARS-CoV-2 variants around the world. NVAP specialised in providing genomic sequencing support and virus assessment to calculate potential impact of viral characteristics and countermeasures. From 2022 to present day, NVAP has provided support to nine countries including the Cayman Islands (CIMBL), boosting our genomic sequencing capacities and expertise through structured training in bioinformatics and facilitating global scientific exchanges with partnering laboratories.
NVAP was committed to making its data globally available through GISAID, to inform UK risk assessment and for global pandemic control strategy measures. NVAP maximised its benefits by consulting with the WHO – contributing to their global surveillance 10-year plan and partnering with other donor organisations.
Read the Article: UKHSA expands support to help countries identify emerging variants
The Global Influenza Initiative includes the Global Influenza Programme (GIP) and the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), which were established in 1947 via the WHO’s Interim Committee to offer a globally coordinated effort against Influenza. The GIP offers strategic guidance, technical assistance and coordination to enhance preparedness of the health systems of member states against various influenza threats – including seasonal occurrence, zoonotic, and pandemics.
The GIP was further expanded in 1997 with the establishment of FluNet. FluNet is a global, web-based tool used for influenza virological surveillance. It is used primarily to track the modulations and movements of globally circulating influenza viruses and is used to interpret epidemiological data.
PCR data from the Cayman Islands, through CIMBL, is collected and submitted on a weekly basis to GISRS. This data is made freely available to public health policy makers for informed decision making. CIMBL is actively engaging with the WHO to be officially recognised as a National Influenza Centre (NIC).
Contact Us
Hours of Operation
- Monday to Friday from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Closed - Weekends and Public Holidays
