Clinical Biochemistry

General characterization

Prerequisites

General knowledge of physiology, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology

Bibliography

- William J. Marshall, Marta Lapsley, Ruth M. Ayling Clinical Biochemistry: Metabolic and Clinical aspects 3^th Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014

- R. Swaminathan Handbook of Clinical Biochemistry, Oxford University Press, 2004.

- Thomas Devlin. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations. 6^th Edition, Wiley-Liss, 2006.

- Allan Gaw, Michael J. Murphy, Robert A. Cowan, Denis St. J. O''''''''''''''''Reilly, Michael J. Stewart, James Shepherd. Clinical Biochemistry: An Illustrated Colour Text. 4^th Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008.

Teaching method

The course includes lectures and problem-solving classes. Lectures will be taught using "data show", accompanied by supplementary bibliography previously available on the website of the curricular unit. In the presentation, a diagnostic test will be distributed, which will focus on subjects considered essential for the student to grasp the concepts presented in this course. Five theoretical classes will be Seminars by experts in areas of Clinical Biochemistry.

The problem-solving classes will focus on discussion of experimental techniques used in clinical laboratories. The students will present a seminar on this topic followed by a discussion period including the whole class.

 

 

Evaluation method

Evaluation will be by two tests (30% of the final grade each): one of the tests approaches subjects taught by the Professors and the other test approaches subjects presented in the five Seminars given by experts. The Techniques Seminars presented by the students count as 30% of the final grade the participation in the discussion period after each Seminar given by the students counts as 10% of the final grade.

To pass, you need to have a grade of, at least, 9.5 as average of the two tests. There is no minimal grade for each test. If you miss the test you will have zero in that test.

 

“Recurso” Examination: Only for students that had less than 9.5 in the average of the two tests. To pass, these students need to have a grade of, at least 9.5, in this Exam, that counts 60% for their final grade.

 

If you want to improve your grade on this 60%, you can apply and pay the tax for “Melhoria” and will have an ORAL Examination including questions about ALL the syllabus of the course (namely, classes taught by Professors, experts Seminars and Seminar presentation of all groups).

 

Techniques Seminar – 30% of the final grade: This grade will include the presentation and following discussion period, as well as the PDF submitted. Seminars should be presented in English.

Discussion period after each Techniques Seminar- 10% of the final grade: This part of the grade will reflect the questions posed by colleagues during the discussion periods of Seminars. For each question, the Professor will immediately communicate orally its score. The score will be determined by the importance of the question and its relevance for the Seminar just presented.

3 points – Very good/Excellent question

2 points – Good question

1 point – Reasonably good question

Please note that questions about medical curiosities, or others such as, “I didn’t understand that figure...”, “Please explain better (...)”, “Did you like to work on this subject?” or any others that do not imply any effort for understanding the Seminar, will not be scored.

Each group needs to ask 4 questions along the 7 students’ Seminar sessions. If there is time, groups with 4 questions already made, can ask extra questions. The grade at this component will be calculated by the formula:

(Sum of the scores of all the questions)/(3 x number of questions) x 20

Subject matter

1. Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry. Acquisition and interpretation of biochemical data. The laboratory in Clinical Biochemistry and Quality aspects.
2. Acid-base and electrolytic balance in the body and clinical tests related to respiratory and renal functions.
3. Plasma proteins and related Clinical tests. Acute Phase Proteins and immunoglobulins.
4. Liver function and Liver Function Tests (LFTs) and their interpretation.
5. Biomarkers in translational biomedical research: case studies on cancer and Stroke.
6. Current analytical methods in Clinical Pathology laboratories, with emphasis in the Biochemical side.
7. Seminars by Portuguese and foreign experts in important and upcoming Research and translation areas in Clinical Biochemistry research.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: