Clinical Chemistry

The module aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of the science of Clinical Chemistry. At the end of the module, the student will have acquired the following skills:

1. Understand the importance of the basic principles and methods of biochemistry, biological chemistry and cell biology in Clinical Chemistry and clinical-biochemical investigation in medicine

2. Understand the structure and function of blood components (plasma/serum, blood cells – Plasma proteins and enzymes) and Circulation and gas exchange (hydrogen ion homeostasis and blood gases)

3. Understand the basic principles of the immune system for the production of antibodies, and their use as tools in modern clinical analysis techniques, as well as other modern molecular and biochemical clinical analysis techniques and their applications in the determination and evaluation of laboratory tests in biological fluids

4. Understand the role of hormones and the endocrine system (Hypothalamus and Pituitary – Adrenal glands – Thyroid gland) and their analysis in all systems with the example of the gonads and the Reproductive system and their related biochemical analyses

5. To understand the basic functions of the kidneys (Osmoregulation and excretion – Water, sodium and potassium) and the related biochemical analyses

6. To understand the basic functions of the liver, the gastrointestinal system, clinical nutrition and disorders of carbohydrate, lipid, lipoprotein metabolism and their involvement in cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus

7. To understand and describe the principles of clinical analyses concerning the homeostasis of calcium, phosphate and magnesium and bones and joints

8. To understand the importance of Neurons, synapses and nerve signals in the Nervous systems – Sensory and motor mechanisms -Muscular, nervous and psychiatric disorders, and their related analyses

9. To understand the molecular, genetic and metabolic basis of certain diseases

10. To understand the evaluation of analyses for the diagnosis and monitoring of Inherited metabolic diseases

11. To understand the basic principles of clinical Biochemistry of Cancer – Metabolic aspects of malignant disease

12. To understand the importance of clinical-biochemical analyses in blood and other biological fluids and samples for the assessment and monitoring of homeostasis or any pathological condition of the above and other systems and the effect of medication

13. To understand the importance of clinical-biochemical analyses in blood and other biological fluids and samples for the assessment and monitoring of therapeutic drugs and chemical aspects of toxicology

14. To understand the analyses and applications of clinical chemistry-biochemistry in sensitive population groups (immunosuppression, pregnancy, fetal development, childhood, aging, cancer treatment, etc.)

15. To acquire critical thinking for the evaluation of clinical cases through the application-ordering of specific laboratory tests, and to be able to communicate these effectively in a medical environment, by applying the principles of skills and knowledge of evidence-based Clinical Biochemical Diagnostics and the life sciences.

16. To recognize the importance of Clinical Chemistry in everyday life in the 21st century.