Teaching code

4S002654

Academic staff

Elisa Danese, Marco Benati

Coordinator

Elisa Danese

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/12 - CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Period

PRIMO SEMESTRE dal Oct 6, 2025 al Dec 20, 2025.

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

At the end of the course the student:
· Will know the general interpretation of the laboratory test criteria based on concepts of normality, reference intervals, analytical and biological variability intra- and interindividual.
· Will be able to interpret the diagnostic value of laboratory tests: specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive value.
· Will know the basic principles of laboratory methods in pre-analytical phase, in the analytical phase and post-analytical phase.
· Will know the meaning underlying pathophysiological alterations of laboratory indices, to arrive at an interpretation of the most important diagnostic clinical syndromes.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Program

Organization of the laboratory, definition of biomarker, description of the Total Testing Process (pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phase)
Methods of biological sample collection, peripheral blood sampling
Definition of critical values, reference ranges and diagnostic cut-offs
Complete blood count
Iron metabolism and pathologies related to iron metabolism
Microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic anemias
Chemical-physical and microscopic examination of the urine and tests for the evaluation of renal function
Coagulation physiology and laboratory tests
Platelet disorders
Thrombophilia, deep vein thrombosis and DIC
Role of the laboratory in the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus
Biomarkers of inflammation and sepsis
Electrolytes and acid-base balance
Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid and other biological fluids
Cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia) and cardiac markers
Examples of clinical molecular biology
Liver damage markers
Neoplasm biomarkers
Thyroid biomarkers
Serum protein electrophoresis
Invasive and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Frontal lessons delivered in person. The material (PDF of the lessons) will be made available in the course Moodle before the course starts.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam will consist in a written test with multiple choice questions and 2 open questions (duration: 60 minutes). There will not be intermediate examinations.

Evaluation criteria

The test will assess the level of knowledge of theoretical content, language property and the ability to critically use the notions acquired.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The following scores will be assigned for each multiple-choice question: zero points for each incorrect or missing answer, 1 point for each correct answer.
At each of the two open questions will be assigned a score from 0 to 5.
A further oral test will be scheduled for students who will have obtained a score equal to or higher than 28 in the written test in order to evaluate the assignment of honors.

Exam language

italiano