Course code:
423B2
Course name:
Methods in Clinical Chemistry

Academic year:

2024/2025.

Attendance requirements:

402B2

ECTS:

7

Study level:

basic academic studies

Study program:

Biochemistry: 4. year, summer semester, elective (E16B2) course

Teachers:

Marija Đ. Gavrović Jankulović, Ph.D.
full professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Milica M. Popović, Ph.D.
associate professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Assistant:

Isidora I. Protić Rosić
teaching assistant, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Hours of instruction:

Weekly: two hours of lectures + four hours of labwork (2+0+4)

Goals:

Apart from acquiring fundamental knowledge in the field of clinical biochemistry, biochemistry students should develop their skills and apply novel knowledge in the field of biomedical sciences for clinical purposes (the diagnosis of diseases, planning and monitoring a therapy). Students are introduced to the basic principles and rules of working in a clinical laboratory. In order to encourage the understanding of the theoretical foundations which are applied in clinical laboratories, students also master the principles of new analytical techniques and instruments which are used in clinical practice. Apart from the theoretical background, in experimental classes students are also introduced to the organization and work in clinical laboratories. Since they carry out laboratory tests, students have an opportunity to analyze and interpret the obtained results.

Outcome:

Students are familiar with the rules of working in a biochemistry laboratory in accordance with good laboratory practice.

Teaching methods:

Lectures, experimental classes, term papers.

Extracurricular activities:

Preparing and writing a term paper.

Coursebooks:

Main coursebooks:

  • Carl A. Burtis, Edward R. Ashwood: Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, 5th edition, Saunders

Supplementary coursebooks:

  • Marija Gavrović-Jankulović: Odabrana poglavlja iz Patobiohemije, Hemijski fakultet, Beograd
  • Olgica Nedić, Srđan Stojanović: Biohemijski procesi u patološkim promenama metabolizma, Hemijski fakultet, Beograd

Additional material:

  Course activities and grading method

Lectures:

10 points (2 hours a week)

Syllabus:

  1. Introduction: the quality of reagents, the selection of the analytical method.
  2. Reference value; biological variability.
  3. Collecting, storing and processing samples.
  4. Analytical techniques and their application in clinical practice: photometry, spectrophotometry, emission techniques and light scattering techniques.
  5. Analytical techniques and their application in clinical practice: electrophoresis, chromatography/mass spectrometry, the analysis of nucleic acids.
  6. The analysis of amino acids and proteins.
  7. The analysis of carbohydrates and glycated molecules.
  8. The analysis of lipids and lipoproteins.
  9. The analysis of enzymes.
  10. The analysis of the mineral matter; the analysis of microelements.
  11. The analysis of electrolytes and gases; acid-base balance.
  12. The analysis of vitamins; the analysis of porphyrins.

Labwork:

30 points (4 hours a week)

Syllabus:

  • Analytical techniques in clinical practice
  • Hematological analyses - the complete blood count and sedimentation
  • Determination of insulin by the RIA method
  • Determination of cortisol by the RIA-CT method
  • The analysis of urine: the qualitative and microscopic analysis of sediments
  • The total protein determination in urine with Ponceau-S
  • The determination of radionuclides in urine by gamma-spectrometry
  • The determination of the presence of autoantibodies and antibodies to parasites by the IF method
  • Rapid tests for the presence of antibodies
  • Rapid pregnancy tests and rapid ovulation tests
  • Semen analysis

Semester papers:

10 points

Oral exam:

50 points