Clinical Biochemistry I

Recommended Prerequisites

Cellular and Molecular Biology; Biochemistry; Physiology; Physiopathology; Immunology; Hematology; Analytical Instrumentation; Analytical Chemistry. 

Teaching Methods

 The teaching strategy is based mainly on lectures integrated with problem-solving classes focused on the discussion of mechanisms underlying changes in laboratory biochemical data, aiming an active learning and acquisition of integrated knowledge. Moreover, laboratory classes, including evaluation of biochemical analytes referred to in lectures, discussion of methodologies, analysis and interpretation of laboratory data, at the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of FFUC, provide students with the first-hand experience in a real workplace.

Learning Outcomes

  This unit encompasses two components: one, concerned with the application of previous acquired knowledge to the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying human disease, and responsible for changes in biochemical parameters of biological fluids, widely used in routine laboratory diagnosis; another, aimed to confer knowledge about the basic work carried out in a biochemistry laboratory and of the methodologies most widely used to evaluate such parameters.

Thus, the main objectives are to develop basic practical skills and knowledge needed for working in a clinical biochemistry laboratory. At the end, students should be able:

i)   To interpret the clinical significance of changes in biochemical parameters widely used in routine laboratory diagnosis and the mechanisms underlying such changes;

ii)  To identify the methodologies widely used in a clinical biochemistry laboratory;

iii) To have developed basic practical skills in clinical biochemistry work.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lectures
The biological fluids: differences in chemical composition
Disorders of water, electrolyte and acid-base metabolism: analytical parameters, underlying mechanisms and correlations with diseases
Chemical sensors and biosensors in Clinical Biochemistry
Protein changes in biological fluids: mechanisms and analytical methods
Clinical enzymology
Disorders in carbohydrate metabolism: hereditary disorders; diabetes mellitus – metabolic consequences, biochemical parameters in diagnosis and control; hypoglycemia
Disorders in lipid metabolism: hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, role of LDL and HDL on cell cholesterol; dyslipidemias, mechanisms and parameters

Specimen collection, processing
Electrolytes, enzymes, total and individual proteins, glucose, ketone bodies, glycated hemoglobin, lipid fractions and lipoproteins: routine evaluations, discussion of methodologies
Automation in Clinical Laboratory
Case-study discussions and interpretation of laboratory data.

Head Lecturer(s)

Leonor Martins Almeida

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

 1. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (7th Edition). Burtis, C. and Bruns, D. E., Eds. Elsievier Saunders (2015).
2. Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis and Correlation. Kaplan, L.A., Pesce, A. J, Kazmierczak, S. C., Eds. Mosby Inc., St Louis (Elsevier) (2010).
3. Clinical Biochemistry. An illustrated colour text (5th Edition). Gaw, A., Murphy, M. J., Srivastava, R., Cowan, R. A., O’Reilly, D.St J. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier (2013).
4. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods (22nd Edition), McPherson and Pincus, Eds. Elsevier Saunders (2011).
5. Textbook of Biochemistry, with Clinical Correlations (7th Edition), Devlin, T. M., Editor. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., New York (2011).
6. Clinical Detective Stories. A Problem-Based Approach to Clinical Cases in Energy and Acid-Base Metabolism. Halperin, M., Rolleston, F. Portland Press, London.
7. Artigos seleccionados de revistas científicas / Selected Scientific papers.