The course will provide knowledge on:

1) the  main metabolic pathways and the main biomarkers involved in the transition from health to pathology

2) the role and potential of the main markers for diagnostic and/or prognostic use used in Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology

3) the application of automation in Laboratory Medicine

The Course will allow you to learn the function of the main biomarkers with diagnostic-prognostic utility, fundamental elements in the skills of Laboratory Medicine, and general information on automation applications in the Laboratory.

The role of Clinical Biochemistry in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of diseases.
Interpretation of laboratory data: sources of variability, pre-analytical variability (variables related to the patient and to the collection method, transport and storage of the sample); analytical variability: laboratory analytical errors; quality assurance; choice and evaluation of analytical methods (sensitivity, specificity, optimization, standardization, reliability, accuracy); biological variability; diagnostic reliability of laboratory tests, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity; post-analytical phase (analytical results, reporting, reporting methods and transmission).
Chemical-physical and functional characteristics of the main biomarkers.

Biological samples (blood, urine, feces, serous fluids, etc.)
The role of clinical biochemistry in the diagnostics of organs and systems (hematological, hepatic, cardiac, renal, pancreatic diagnostics, bone remodelling, inflammation, etc.).

The Clinical Biochemistry of Nutrition.

The role of laboratory medicine in pregnancy.

Overview of the main analytical methods applied in clinical biochemistry and clinical molecular biology: spectroscopy, spectrofluorimetry, turbidimetry, nephelometry, electrophoresis, immunometric methods, clinical molecular biology techniques.

Laboratory techniques and tests for the molecular diagnosis of hereditary or acquired genetic diseases. 

Automation in the clinical chemical laboratory: automatic analyzers; analytical procedures in the automated laboratory (sample identification, reagents, cuvettes and containers, fluid transfer, mixing, analysis formats, detection); total automation. Examples of automation in Clinical Biochemistry, in Clinical Molecular Biology, and in Hematological Microscopy.

Portable systems for diagnostics and telemedicine: concept of Point of care testing POCT, diffusion and problems of POCT (lateral flow immunoassay, biosensors, systems based on disposable cartridges).

Not required.

D1. Knowledge and understanding: Students must demonstrate adequate mastery of basic knowledge related to the main metabolic pathways of interest in Laboratory Medicine, to understand the main etiopathogenetic mechanisms of initiation, evolution and progression of acute and chronic organ diseases and to identify and define the the clinical utility of biomarkers.

D2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Students must be able to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts and theories included in the course, and will have to be able to describe the main topics covered in class, and explain the clinical utility of biomarkers in specific settings, to evaluate and contextualize the pathophysiological conditions in which alterations of biomarkers occur.

D3. Autonomy of judgment: Students will have to demonstrate their ability to use knowledge and concepts that allow them to reason independently according to the specific logic of the discipline. In particular, Students must be able to understand and identify how to study a specific sample or parameter, and will also have to acquire critical skills on issues related to the loss of homeostasis and the prevention of organ pathologies.

D4. Communication skills: Students must demonstrate the ability to communicate their knowledge in a thorough, precise, and comprehensive manner to people already competent in the field of Clinical Biochemistry, as well as demonstrate that they can summarize and simplify the topics in a popular way so as to be understandable even to those who are not experts in the sector, always adopting an adequate and precise terminology.

D5. Learning skills: Students will have to demonstrate the ability to reach conclusions, examples, or parallels autonomously, on the basis of what they have learned from the program and on the basis of what they have learned using their own initiatives, by autonomously finding additional sources on clinical biochemistry methods and on critical evaluation of laboratory biomarkers for diagnostic/prognostic purposes. Students will acquire the ability to interpret and autonomously judge the laboratory data, in order to apply the acquired knowledge in the practice of the profession.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

No supporting activities.

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Innovative teaching methods

Frontal lessons may be enriched with some innovative teaching methods, which will be proposed to the class and selected between the DEBATE or FLIPPED CLASSROOM forms based on the feedback from the students.

Attendance

Attendance of frontal lessons is strongly recommended.

Course books

The student may use one of the following texts of her/his choice:

•  Albi, Beccari, Cataldi: Biochimica Clinica Essenziale, Zanichelli Editore.
• Ciaccio, Lippi: Biochimica clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio, EdiSES.
• Sacchetti, e coll.: Medicina di Laboratorio & Diagnostica Genetica. Ed. Sorbona

Assessment

The assessment of the achievement of the course objectives (according to the Dublin descriptors) is based on an oral exam, carried out through at least 3 questions concerning the topics of the course to assess the knowledge, understanding of the scientific discipline, and ability to apply the acquired knowledge.

The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum mark 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 cum laude).

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

Identical to that of attending students.

Course books

The study program and books are identical to that of attending students.

Assessment

Identical to that of attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.