About Us
Our laboratory is uniquely positioned within The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, integrating decades of specialized expertise in clinical microbiology with academic research and translational science. Founded in 1982, the Mycobacteria/Nocardia Reference Laboratory has earned national and international recognition for its excellence in the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Nocardia, and other aerobic actinomycetes. These organisms can cause complex, difficult-to-diagnose infections that often require specialized laboratory methods and individualized treatment approaches.
With a commitment to quality, accuracy, timely results, and innovation, the laboratory provides specialized diagnostic services that help healthcare providers better understand clinically significant organisms and make informed treatment decisions. Our capabilities include antimicrobial susceptibility testing using standardized broth microdilution methods, molecular identification through gene sequencing, detection of selected antimicrobial resistance mutations, and DNA fingerprinting to investigate relationships between isolates and support epidemiological studies. By combining established microbiological methods with advanced molecular approaches, we help address diagnostic challenges that may extend beyond the capabilities of routine clinical laboratories.
Research and innovation are central to our mission. Our team actively contributes to studies designed to improve diagnostic methodologies, evaluate emerging antimicrobial agents and combination therapies, investigate evolving resistance patterns, and advance the understanding of NTM, Nocardia, and related pathogens. Through laboratory-based investigations, clinical research, and collaborations with academic institutions, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical partners, and public health organizations, we work to translate scientific discoveries into practical advances in infectious disease diagnosis and management. Research initiatives also explore antimicrobial synergy and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties to better understand how treatment strategies may be optimized.
The laboratory's longstanding involvement in clinical investigations, particularly those focused on NTM infections and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), reflects our commitment to advancing care for patients affected by these challenging diseases. By supporting research into new and existing therapies and contributing specialized microbiological expertise, we help bridge the gap between laboratory science and clinical application.
Operating within an academic medical center and supported by established quality and regulatory credentials, including accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and certification under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), our laboratory combines scientific rigor with a specialized service model. We also maintain applicable state laboratory licenses and permits to support our work with healthcare and public health partners.
Through decades of experience, technical expertise, and a continued commitment to scientific advancement, the Mycobacteria/Nocardia Reference Laboratory serves as a trusted resource for healthcare providers, hospitals, reference laboratories, and public health institutions nationwide and internationally. Our mission is to deliver reliable, specialized diagnostic testing while advancing the knowledge, methods, and treatment strategies that improve the understanding and management of complex mycobacterial and related infections.