ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 74.2 Hours of tutorials: 2.25 Expository Class: 18 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 112.45
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology
Areas: Analytical Chemistry
Center Faculty of Chemistry
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
After successfully completing Biochemical and Clinical Analyses, students should be able to:
- Interpret chemical-analytical and biochemical data to contribute to clinical diagnosis.
- Know the most important methods of analysis and detection of bioactive compounds and analytes of clinical interest.
- Provide the conceptual bases of how the results of the application of different biochemical analytical techniques are applicable to the diagnosis of human diseases.
In general terms, the contents of the course are:
• Basic principles of Clinical Analytical Chemistry.
• Pre-analytical step: specimen collection; pre-treatment and conservation.
• Instrumentation and automation of the clinical laboratory.
• Methods of analysis of bioactive compounds of clinical interest.
• Applications in different areas of the clinical laboratory (water and electrolytes; blood; urine; other biological liquids)
• Therapeutic drug control.
These contents are detailed into the following blocks:
Block I: Basic Principles of Clinical Analytical Chemistry.
Topic 1. Preanalytical phase.
Preanalytical Variability. Patient Preparation. Obtaining the specimen. Specimen identification. Transport of specimens. Obtaining specimens for drug monitoring. Quality of the Preanalytical Phase
Topic 2.- Analytical Methodology I: Clinical Applications of Spectroscopic Techniques.
Revision of general concepts. Main molecular spectroscopic methods of clinical interest and applications. Applications of atomic spectroscopy in Clinical Chemistry. Clinical applications of luminescent techniques.
Topic 3.- Analytical Methodology II: Clinical Applications of Electrochemical Techniques.
Revision of general concepts. Measurement of ions, pH and gases in blood. Amperometric and potentiometric biosensors.
Topic 4.- Analytical Methodology III: Clinical Aplications of Chromatographic and Electrophoretic techniques.
Revision of general concepts. Clinical applications of chromatography: miscellaneous, haemoglobin and thalassemias. Clinical applications of electrophoresis: serum proteinogram; proteomics of other biological liquids.
Topic 5. Analytical Methodology IV: Point of Care Analysis
Concept of POC analysis. Integration in the laboratory. Specimens. Technology: Reflectance spectrophotometry and immunochromatography. Main applications of the POC analyses. Quality of the POC analyses.
Block II: Selection of Applications in Different Areas of the Clinical Laboratory.
Topic 6.- Water and electrolytes.
Hydroelectrolyte balance: concepts and terminology. Regulation of electrolyte homeostasis. Electrolyte alterations. Analytical determination of the hydroelectrolyte balance.
Topic 7.- Urine Analysis.
Formation of urine. Systematic urinalysis. Urinary sediment. Preparation of the urine. Automatic urianalysis. Automatic analyzers for urinary sediment.
Topic 8. Study of other Biological Fluids.
Study of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Identification of liquids of unknown origin. Study of the synovial fluid. Study of pleural fluid. Study of saliva.
SEMINARS:
These are interspersed in the expositive classes when appropriate.
SEMINAR I: CLINICAL CASES OF PREANALYTICAL PHASE
SEMINAR II: CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF GENERAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
SEMINAR III: HEMATOLOGY. BLOOD BANK AND BIOBANKS.
SEMINAR IV: MISCELLANEOUS CLINICAL CASES.
LAB CLASSES
Practice 1: Applications of UV-Vis Spectrophotometry to Clinical Analysis I
• Quantitative determination of direct and total bilirubin.
• Quantitative determination of creatinine.
Practice 2. Applications of UV-Vis Spectrophotometry to Clinical Analysis II_Derivatization reactions or coupled reactions:
• Glucose_Trinder
• Quantitative determination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Practice 3: Instrumental Analysis Applications to Clinical Analysis:
• Analysis of forensic samples by Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (IR-ATR)
Practice 4: Applications of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry to Clinical Analysis
• Determination of serum ions by AAS
Recommended bibliography
Basic (Reference books)
Principios de bioquímica clínica y patología molecular. Álvaro González Hernández. Elsevier España, 2010.
Técnicas y Métodos de Laboratorio Clínico. 3ª Edición. J.M. González de buitrago. Elsevier España, 2010.
Bioquímica Clínica. 7ª Edición. W.J. Marshall, S.K. Bangert & M. Lapsley. Elsevier, 2012.
Complementary
Bioquímica Clínica. 5ª Edición. Allan Gaw y otros. Elsevier España, 2015.
Ruiz Reyes, G. y Ruiz Arguelles, A.: “Fundamentos de Interpretación Clínica de los Exámenes de Laboratorio”, 2ª Ed., Editorial Médica Panamericana, Madrid, 2010.
Basic and general skills
CG2- To be able to gather and interpret data, information and relevant results, draw conclusions and issue reasoned reports on scientific, technological or other areas requiring the use of knowledge of chemistry problems.
CG3- To be able to apply both theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as the ability of analysis and abstraction in the definition and approach to problems and finding solutions in both academic and professional contexts.
CG4- To have the ability to communicate, both in writing and orally, knowledge, procedures, results and ideas in Chemistry both specialist and non-specialist public.
CG5- To be able to study and learn independently, organizing time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in any scientific or technological discipline.
Transversal skills
CT9- To develop skills in interpersonal relationships.
CT10- To acquire critical thinking.
CT11- To achieve ethical commitment.
CT8- To be able to work in an international context.
CT7- To perform work in interdisciplinary team.
Specific skills
CE12- To understand the structure and reactivity of the main classes of biomolecules and the chemistry of the main biological processes.
CE13- To be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories related to the areas of chemistry.
CE15- To be able to recognize and analyze new problems and to plan strategies to solve them.
CE16- To be able to evaluate and interpret data.
A) Lectures in large group ("CE" in the timetable):
In these classes the teacher will make the presentation of the different agenda items using different formats depending on the subject studied; formats are: theory, examples and general clinical cases, mainly.
The teacher may have the support of audiovisual and computers tools, but in general, students do not need to handle them in regular classes; although they may need to make use of them when they are going to make a presentation or exhibition.
Since this subject just contemplates this type of lecture (plus 2 hours of small group tutoring for each student), some of these sessions will be used for presentation, discussion or commentary work, individually or in small groups, taking into account that the works have been previously distributed by the teacher.
Attendance at these classes is not mandatory but is strongly recommended for the proper monitoring of the subject.
B) Tutoring in very small group ("T" in the timetable):
Tutoring scheduled by the teacher and coordinated by the Center, and will involve each student for 2 hours. In these tutorials monitoring activities as directed works, clarification of doubts about theory, clinical cases, readings or other tasks proposed are put forward. Attendance at these classes is mandatory.
C) Laboratory ("P" in the Timetable):
Each student will have three practical sessions of 4 hours (3 groups, G1, G2 and G3 in the Timetables). Practices will be carried out to apply the main instrumental techniques available to the analysis of biochemical and clinical parameters of interest in biological specimens (reconstituted blood or serum, saliva, urine, ...). Attendance to these classes is mandatory.
1. The student should attend at least 70% of the presential classes: lectures and tutorials. Attendance is mandatory at least one of the scheduled tutoring. Continuous assessment can not be performed properly if the student does not attend class; ideally, should actively participate in the development of all classroom activities.
2. The assessment will consist of two parts:
2.1. Continuous evaluation, which may in turn consist of:
i. Exercises and clinical cases submitted to the teacher
ii. Implementation and class presentation of work scheduled
iii. Practical Reports
iv. Working in tutorials
2.2. Final exam
The student's grade will be the one obtained by balance the final exam grade with that of the continuous assessment; although to be eligible for weighting, a minimum score of 4 out of 10 points is required in the final exam.
3. Each activiy will account for the student's final grade as follows:
Exercises and Clinical Cases 15 %
Tutorials 5 %
Laboratory 20 %
Final Exam 60 %
4. The final exam will focus on theoretical and applied aspects of the subject.
The student's grade will be the one obtained by weighting the final exam with the continuous assessment; although to have the option of weighting it is necessary to have a minimum grade of 4 out of 10 points in the final exam. The student's grade will not be lower than the final exam grade or the one obtained by weighting it with the continuous assessment.
In the exam and in the work carried out throughout the course the following competences are evaluated:
Lectures and Tutorials: CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CT9, CT10, CT11, CT8, CT7, CE12, CE13, CE15, CE16.
Laboratory: CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CT9, CT10, CT11, CT8, CT7, CE12, CE13, CE15, CE16.
Exam: CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CT10, CT11, CE12, CE13, CE15, CE16.
Re-students who have passed laboratory practices will have their grade retained for a maximum of two academic years. Therefore, they will not have to do the laboratory practices again, but they will attend the other interactive classes (seminars and tutorials) on equal terms with the other students.
Re-students who have passed the lab practices can repeat them again if they want. They just need to communicate to the professor-coordinator.
In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations on the assessment of students' academic performance and the review of qualifications shall apply.
WORK IN THE CLASSROOM HOURS
Large group lectures: 18
Resolution and discussion of clinical cases 4
Laboratory Practices 12
Very small group tutorials 2
Total classroom hours: 36
STUDENT PERSONAL WORK HOURS
Self-study individual or in group: 51.5
Solving exercises, clinical cases reports and preparation of oral or written presentations, lab preparation and lab reports : 25
Total hours of personal work: 76.5
TOTAL WORK HOURS: 36 + 76.5 = 112.5
• It is highly recommended to attend the lectures from the first day since the various items are linked together.
• It is important to keep the study of the subject "updated".
• After reading a topic is complete, it is useful to summarize the main points, identifying the basic issues to remember and be sure to meet both its meaning and the conditions that may apply.
• Discussion of clinical cases is highly recommended for learning this subject.
• Laboratory practices are essential for the application of the acquired knowledge in this and other previous subjects in the solution of real analytical problems with biological specimens.
Registered students need to know and obey the "normas xerais de seguridade nos laboratorios de prácticas" of the University of Santiago de Compostela, to participate in laboratory sessions. This regulation is in the webpage (www.usc.es/estaticos/servizos/sprl/normalumlab.pdf)
A virtual classroom on the Moodle platform (Virtual Campus of the USC, https://cv.usc.es/) will be available to students, which will serve as a repository of the material necessary for the correct development of the subject as well as a channel of communication with students. In addition, another direct communication channel may be operational through the MS-Teams application.
Gerardo Alvarez Rivera
- Department
- Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology
- Area
- Analytical Chemistry
- Phone
- 881814271
- gerardo.alvarez.rivera [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
Aly Jesús Castillo Zamora
- Department
- Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology
- Area
- Analytical Chemistry
- alyjesus.castillo.zamora [at] usc.es
- Category
- Predoutoral_Doutoramento Industrial
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Physical Chemistry Classroom (ground floor) |
| Wednesday | |||
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Spanish | Physical Chemistry Classroom (ground floor) |
| Friday | |||
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Physical Chemistry Classroom (ground floor) |
| 05.19.2025 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Organic Chemistry Classroom (1st floor) |
| 07.07.2025 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Inorganic Chemistry Classroom (1st floor) |