| CODE | MLS2001 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Applied Biomedical Science | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces the student to the basic theory of various techniques that have an application in a clinical laboratory. The emphasis in the first part is on theoretical concepts, instrumentation as well as trouble-shooting, whereas in the second part correlation of the utilization of biochemical investigations with different clinical conditions is presented. The second part will illustrate the application of the techniques to a clinical environment. Content: (Instrumentation) The following techniques will be discussed: - Autoanalysers; - Calibration Curves; - Enzymes; - Spectrophotometry and Photometry; - Spectroflourimetry; - Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Atomic Emission; - Electrochemistry and Ion Selective Electrodes; - Electrophoresis and related techniques; - Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry; - Immunoassays. Learning Outcomes: (Instrumentation) 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recall the basic principles behind each technique; - Compare and contrast different techniques; - Outline factors that may affect results; and - Identify limitations of the technique. Content: (Significance of Biochemical Laboratory Investigations) The aim of this study-unit is to correlate laboratory investigation (Biochemistry) with various medical conditions. The systems discussed include: - Renal functions; - Electrolyte balance and blood gases; - Liver function, enzymes and isoenzymes; - Carbohydrate metabolism; - Lipid and lipoprotein metabolism; - Hypothalamus and Pituitary Axis; - Thyroid Functions; - Sex Hormones; - Adrenal Hormones; - Tumour Markers. Learning Outcomes: (Biochemical Investigations) 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Correlate the utilization of biochemical investigations with different medical conditions; - Relate the various techniques discussed in the first study-unit to a clinical environment; and - Identify different analytical factors that affect measurement and reporting of biochemical tests, and how these can be overcome. Reading List: Instrumentation: - Kaplan LA & Pesce AJ. Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis, Correlation (5th Edition), 2009. Mosby (ISBN 0323036580). - Crocker J & Burnett D. The Science of Laboratory Diagnosis (2nd Edition), 2005. Wiley-Blackwell (ISBN 0470859124). - Marshall W, Bangert SK & Lapsley M. Clinical Chemistry (7th Edition), 2012. Elsevier (ISBN 0723437031). Significance of Biochemical Laboratory Investigations: - Bailey DN & Fitzgerald RL. Practical Laboratory Diagnosis of Disease: Clinical Chemistry, 2019. American Society of Clinical Pathologists Press (ISBN 0891896546). - Gaw A, Murphy MJ, Srivastava R, Cowan RA & O’Reilly A. Clinical Biochemistry: an illustrated colour text (5th Edition), 2013. Churchill Livingstone (ISBN 0702051799). - Marshall W, Bangert SK & Lapsley M. Clinical Chemistry (7th Edition), 2012. Elsevier (ISBN 0723437031). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Laura Grech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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