Abstract Background Serum enzymes are measured in medical diagnosis to detect injury to a tissue that contains the measured enzyme. Clinical applications have concentrated mostly on enzymes such as creatine kinase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase…
Abstract Background Amino acids are not only the building blocks of proteins, but they also play diverse roles in the provision of energy and the formation of a number of other important biomolecules, including hormones, neurotransmitters, and signaling molecules. The…
Abstract Background Point-of-care testing (POCT) is essentially any form of laboratory testing that takes place outside of the conventional or central laboratory setting and encompasses a wide variety of locations. Use of POCT has steadily increased over the 40 or…
Abstract Background Automation has dramatically changed both the analytical and nonanalytical aspects of clinical laboratory operations. Automation of laboratory test procedures began more than 50 years ago, but nonanalytical automation—including conveyor systems, interfaced analyzers, and automated specimen processing and storage—began…
Abstract Background Cytometry, or “cell measurement,” can describe any process by which individual biologic cells are counted or characterized, whether or not a human observer is involved. An apparatus used in the process is called a cytometer. From the 1950s…
Abstract Background Microfluidics is a burgeoning area of analytical chemistry that will impact many fields, including clinical diagnostics. The ability to miniaturize and expedite chemistry with smaller volumes presents the possibility for testing with expedited turnaround times at lower cost…
Abstract Background Immunoassay is a powerful qualitative and quantitative analytical technique used to detect and measure a wide range of clinically important analytes. The extreme sensitivity and specificity of immunoassays have allowed detection and quantitation of analytes present at very…
Abstract Background Enzymes are biological catalysts that can be used in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease and their remarkable properties make them sensitive indicators of pathologic change. Metabolism can be regarded as an integrated series of enzymatic reactions and…
Abstract Background Clinical proteomics has traditionally referred to experiments that attempt to discover novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or therapeutic management by using tools that measure the abundance of hundreds or thousands of proteins in a single sample. These…
Abstract Background The application of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) represents one of the most compelling opportunities for advancements in human health through the combination of reference measurement procedure capabilities, broad chemical coverage, and a rich history…