The aim of this course is to give the student notions in major struments utilized in order to work correctly in an analysis laboratory and their use in diagnosis and monitoring of major pathologies
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biochemistry as provided by the bachelor's degree courses in Biological Sciences. Students coming from different bachelor's degree programs are encouraged to fill any gaps before attending the course.
Teaching Methods
Lectures are delivered through PowerPoint presentations projected on a screen. A total of 8 educational seminars are scheduled to complement the topics covered or not covered in class, aimed particularly at providing a cross-disciplinary perspective on the techniques and their practical, everyday use in the laboratory.
Assessment Methods
Oral examination: the exam consists of an individual oral test, aimed at ascertaining the skills acquired in relation to the contents of the course. The test focuses on at least four distinct topics related to the different parts covered during the course: methods, tools, diagnostic applications, pathologies. The final evaluation is based on the degree of depth and understanding of the topics presented and on the ability to integrate knowledge For students who fall into particular categories, duly certified, such as: Student worker Student engaged in the care of their family members Students with civil disability Parent student Student athlete Students in prison Students in hospital or suffering from certified pathologies who they will not be able to follow the activities in presence the following guidelines will be adopted For teaching methods: the teacher will guarantee up to 2 hours of weekly reception, also online, with time flexibility depending on the needs; The courses can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, carried out even after 6 pm, from Monday to Friday; The teacher will provide the teaching material that it considers most suitable for the preparation in autonomy for the exam of profit, such as video recordings that deal with the exam topics and, when possible, will use teaching methods that favor group work.
Texts
Biochimica clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio. Marcello Ciaccio e Giuseppe Lippi. Edises 2020. + Biochimica. Bassi-Boffi-de Curtis-Degano-Di Liegro-Ientile-Vigetti-Zocchi. Edi Ermes 2019. + Fisiologia Umana-Fondamenti. Ed Ermes. Autori: Anna Belfiore e AA.VV. + Course material published in Kiro
Contents
Topics covered: Analytical reliability (precision, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity), laboratory errors, and quality control. Calibration curves. Instrumentation and spectroscopic techniques (spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, luminometry, IR spectroscopy, turbidimetry), chromatographic techniques (adsorption chromatography, partition chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, gel-filtration, HPLC), electrophoretic techniques (acetate electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, capillary electrophoresis), and immunochemical techniques (immunodiffusion, immunoassays: competitive and non-competitive methods). Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a diagnostic test. ROC curves. Pre-analytical variability. Serum isoenzymes: physiological aspects, study techniques. Functions, study methods, and diagnostic applications of serum proteins and lipoproteins. Iron and heme metabolism (porphyrias and jaundice). Ethanol metabolism. Diabetes mellitus: pathophysiological aspects and investigation methods. Dyslipidemias. Complete blood count: anemias. Urinalysis and markers of renal function. Markers of cardiac injury. Coagulation dysfunction.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended in order to acquire adequate details for the preparation of the final exam.