Biochemistry/Instrumental Analysis CHEM 2305

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify and describe the main components of instruments commonly used in chemical analysis including UV-visible, atomic absorption, fluorescence and infrared spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs including various detectors such as flame ionization and mass spectrometry (GCMS), liquid chromatographs and electrophoresis equipment.
• Use computer software to calibrate, evaluate, troubleshoot and optimize the operating parameters of instruments used in chemical analysis.
• Use spectrometric methods that are based on absorption and emission of light, along with clinical methods such as oximetry and capnometry, to measure cellular and serum constituents.
• Perform potentiometric measurements using ion-selective electrodes (ISEs)
• Describe the components and applications of reference electrodes (silver/silver chloride and calomel), ISEs (such as pH, pK, pNa, pCl, pCO2) and amperometric sensors (pO2).
• Describe how CO2 is eliminated from the body starting from its generation in the tissues, the role of buffers in the maintenance of blood pH and the principles used for determining each constituent (pO2, pCO2, HCO3-, total CO2) by means of a blood gas analyzer and discuss compensatory mechanisms that tend to counteract blood gas disorders.
• Describe proteins in terms of their amino acid composition, conformation, pH-dependent charge, and occurrence and function in the body, with particular emphasis on blood proteins and enzymes.
• Analyse the structure and function of normal adult hemoglobin and different forms of hemoglobin.
• Describe the pathway of blood coagulation and the operating principles of a blood coagulation analyzer.
• Define oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and describe methods for its measurement both in vitro (oximetry) and in a non-invasive manner (pulse oximetry).
• Identify the properties of enzymes, the principles underlying their catalytic activity and the mechanisms of enzyme action and regulation.
• Discuss the use of enzymes in medical diagnosis and describe their role as components of biosensors in analyzers and for point-of-care testing.
• Describe the steps in automated chemical analysis in the clinical lab.
• Define the following terminology: batch analysis, random access analysis, STAT, continuous flow analysis, centrifugal analysis, discrete analysis, point of care testing and specimen throughput rate.
• Describe the medical complications caused by diabetes and the relevant clinic tests used to evaluate the condition.
• Describe in general terms how PCR is used in the clinical lab.

Effective as of Winter 2021