| CODE | MLS4006 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Applied Clinical Biochemistry | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Applied Biomedical Science | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit covers different topics which are related to the field of Clinical Biochemistry'. An example of such topics includes the study of abnormal haemoglobins and Thalassaemia, the study of endocrine diseases and laboratory tests involved in their diagnosis and management, and the use of different tumour markers in disease identification. The content related to 'Clinical Chemistry/Endocrinology' will introduce the students to the different types of endocrine diseases that exist, and also the laboratory tests that are used to help diagnose and differentiate between different endocrine diseases. Different laboratory tests can be performed; the type of specimen required to perform such tests may vary. Tests can be performed on blood, saliva or urine samples. Moreover, dynamic tests can also be performed, including stimulation and suppression tests. Laboratory tests can also be used help in the diagnosis of primary or secondary endocrine diseases. Moreover, certain laboratory tests are applied for the management and continuous monitoring of these endocrine diseases. Content: Molecular Biology/Genetics - Abnormal haemoglobins and thalassaemia. Learning Outcomes: Molecular Biology/Genetics By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define molecular biology tools which are used in the diagnosis of genetic disorders such as Haemoglobinopathies; and - Describe genetic syndromes such as thalassaemia and other related haemoglobin syndromes. Content: Toxicology - Basic Toxicology: Types of poisons, route, action, excretion, metabolism; - Laboratory investigations of poisons, Particularly drugs and medications; - Drugs of Abuse: Clinical vs. Forensic approach; - Case studies. Learning Outcomes: Toxicology By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the complexity of Toxicological Analysis in a Hospital environment. Content: Clinical Biochemistry - The objective of this study-unit is to introduce the student to some specialized topics within the broad title of "Clinical Biochemistry". The Content "Laboratory methods in the diagnosis and management of Endocrine diseases" will help students: - Gain a good knowledge of the different laboratory tests performed in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of organ-specific endocrine diseases; - Understand the meaning of the results obtained; - Be aware of any interfering agents that might lead to false positive or false negative results. Learning Outcomes: Clinical Biochemistry By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Get a good understanding of the different types of endocrine diseases; - List the different types of organ-specific endocrine diseases; - Have a good knowledge of the laboratory tests available for the diagnosis and management of endocrine diseases; - Describe how the tests are performed.Recognise which laboratory tests should be used in the diagnosis of the different endocrine diseases; - Understand the result obtained and be able to interpret it correctly; - Be aware of the limitations of the different laboratory tests. Reading List: - Bailey DN & Fitzgerald RL. Practical Laboratory Diagnosis of Disease: Clinical Chemistry, 2019. American Society of Clinical Pathologists Press (ISBN 0891896546). - Marshall W, Bangert SK & Lapsley M. Clinical Chemistry (7th Edition), 2012. Elsevier (ISBN 0723437031). - Durrant M. Advanced Principles of Clinical Toxicology, 2019. Foster Academics (ISBN 163242584X). - Moffat AC, Osselton MD, & Widdop B. Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poisons (4th Edition), 2011. Pharmaceutical Press (ISBN 0853697116). - Bain BJ, Wild B, Stephens A & Phelan L. Variant Haemoglobins: A Guide to Identification (1st Edition), 2011. Wiley-Blackwell (ISBN 1405167157). - Patrinos GP & Ansorge W. Molecular Diagnostics (2nd Edition), 2009. Academic Press (ISBN 0080923185). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph Borg 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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