Enrollment year
2019/2020
Academic discipline
BIO/12 (CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY "LAZZARO SPALLANZANI"
Period
1st semester (01/10/2021 - 14/01/2022)
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Prerequisites
Clinical biochemistry is a multi-disciplinary applied science that studies the effect of diseases on biochemical processes of organs/tissues on body fluids or other material. Assumed knowledge to better understand the content of the course include fundamental biochemistry, human physiology, genetic and general pathology.
Specific entry requirements include:
- Knowledge of biochemistry, particularly of cellular metabolism and tissue/organ functions in physiological and pathological conditions.
- Knowledge of organs physiology, their dynamic interaction and mechanisms that control their functions.
- Basic knowledge of main biochemical, molecular biology techniques and their usefulness for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Learning outcomes
Main goals of this course are:
- To highlight the nature and significance of biomarkers in laboratory medicine; main strategies for biomarkers identification, validation and clinical use of in the context of experimental medicine.
- Integrate the use of biochemical tests and explain their clinical significance in the assessment of normal physiology and pathological conditions.
- Describe pathogenetic mechanisms of diseases and how clinical disease states can alter laboratory data. Interpret the meaning of laboratory tests and assess their significance in patient disease states.
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to: explain the biochemical consequences of disease in the major organ systems; describe the importance of biomarkers for diagnostic approaches; clinically correlate laboratory values with clinical disease states.
Course contents
- Collection of specimens and special sampling techniques for laboratory analysis.
- Biological and analytical variability and interpretation of laboratory data
- Clinical enzymology
- Liver function tests
- Digestive enzymes of pancreatic origins
- Kidney function and diagnostic testing
- Diagnosis of myocardial infarction
- Complete blood counts
- Hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias
- Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis
- Acute phase biomarkers
- Diabetes mellitus and glucose testing
- Markers of bone metabolism
- Tumor biomarkers
- Testing of endocrine function
- Genetic markers and molecular diagnostic
- Autoimmunity
- Electrolytes and acid-base balance
- Lipids and lipoproteins
Teaching methods
The course consists of oral lectures integrated by educational seminars. It is recommended to attend 75% of the course. Professors are available for additional explanation and clarification on demand.
Reccomended or required readings
Bibliography:
1) Medicina di Laboratorio. Editor: Piccin. Authors: Antonozzi, Gulletta. Language: Italian.
2) Medicina di Laboratorio. Editor: Piccin. Author: Laposata. Language: Italian.
3) Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Editor: Elsevier – Saunders. Authors: Tietz, Burtis, Ashwood, Bruns. Language: English.
4) Biochimica clinica e medicina di laboratorio. Editor: Edises. Authors: Lippi, Ciaccio. Language: Italian.
5) Biochimica per le discipline biomediche. Editor: Elsevier. Authors: Baynes, Dominiczak. Language: Italian.
Professors allow access to all the books for consultation on demand.
Assessment methods
Final competences are verified by a written test. Students will be asked to answer open questions about four separate topics related to the arguments presented during lessons and seminars. The final mark is based on the evaluation of the comprehensive understanding of the topics presented and on the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired during the course.
Università di Pavia - Offerta formativa