Instrumental Methods in Clinical Laboratory

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The course is based on two types of classes:

i) Theoretical classes, where the different course subjects are presented and discussed;

ii) Theoretical-practical classes, intended for clarification, practical application and sedimentation of the concepts presented in the lectures, through different strategies, as indicated in the program.

Learning Outcomes

The main objectives of this course are to acquire knowledge in an integrated manner under the principles of instrumental analysis and automation in the Clinical Analysis Laboratory. Thus, in the end, students should i) have acquired a broad knowledge on the basic principles of operation of instrumental techniques and analytical methodologies used most commonly in clinical laboratories;
ii) have acquired the basics of clinical laboratory automation and the various types of automated equipment commonly used.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lectures
Analytical instrumentation: basic principles and use in the clinical analysis context:
i) Spectrophotometry (UV/VIS, atomic absorption)
ii) Reflectance photometry
iii) Luminescence techniques (fluorescence, chemi-, and electrochemi-luminescence)
iv) Turbidimetry and nephelometry
v)Osmometry
vi) Potentiometry: chemical sensors and biosensors
vii) Electrophoresis and densitometry
viii) Chromatographic systems: instrumentation, separation mechanisms and types of commonly used detectors
ix) LC/MS and ICP-MS
x) Flow cytometry
xi) Dry chemistry analyzers.
2. Automation in the Laboratory: basic concepts; automation of information flow and analytical flow; post-analytical automation.
Practicals
The aim is to reinforce concepts taught through:
i)Teaching demonstrations with some specialized equipments
ii) Visits to clinical laboratories, with observation, in a real work-place, analytical systems most commonly used
iii) Discussion of case studies and problem-solving strategies.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rui Manuel Silva Gomes Barbosa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 20.0%
Exam: 80.0%

Bibliography

1. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods (22nd Edition), McPherson and Pincus, Eds. Elsevier Saunders (2011).
2. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (7th Edition). Burtis, C. and Bruns, D. E., Eds. Elsievier Saunders (2015).