Major Clinical Disciplines


Hematology	Hematology is the study of the forms and structure (morphology) of blood cells and blood-forming tissues. This discipline deals with both the normal biochemistry and physiology of blood cells as well as with an in-depth analysis of the specific changes that occur during disease states. Specific emphasis is placed on the mechanisms and/or cause(s) for these changes.

Immunology/ Immunohematology	Immunology is the branch of the biomedical sciences that studies the structure and function of the disease resisting (immune) systems of our body. This discipline encompasses such things as the use of immunizations, donor matching for organ transplantation, laboratory testing of the various components of the immune system or, the use of these immune components (i.e. the interaction between an antigen, a substance capable of causing an immune response, and its specific antibody, the product of the immune response) to detect changes that occur in disease. Immunohematology (Blood Banking) is a discipline that utilizes the components of the immune system (antigens and antibodies) to determine whether a donor's blood can be safely administered to an individual needing a specific blood product (i.e red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and/or platelets).

Hemostasis	Literally, hemostasis is the arrest of bleeding by either natural (clot formation) or artificial (pressure or blood vessel ligation) means. More specifically, however, the laboratory professional studies the various mechanisms by which specific blood cells (platelets) interact with the blood vessel and clot promoting blood proteins (coagulation factors) to stop bleeding. The laboratory professional aids in the diagnosis of diseases that result in the inability to clot (i.e. hemophilia) as well as in diseases that result from abnormal clot formation (i.e. myocardial infarction and stroke).

Clinical Microbiology	This biomedical science focuses on the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of disease causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. An essential component of this discipline is the ability to isolate and identify specific disease causing organisms and, in some cases, determine appropriate antibiotics for patient treatment. The application of molecular pathology techniques to clinical microbiology has significantly enhanced the microbiologists ability to precisely identify various species of microorganisms.

Clinical Chemistry/ Body Fluids	Clinical chemistry/body fluid analysis involves the use of analytical methodologies for the precise determination of a wide variety of both chemical (i.e. sodium, potassium, chloride etc.) as well as biochemical (i.e. protein indicators of heart attack, liver disease, kidney disease, etc.) substances. Clinical chemists employ a wide variety of assay techniques on a large variety of body fluids. The techniques may include using antigen-antibody interactions or enzyme-substrate interactions and the fluids range from blood to cerebrospinal fluid and urine. The purpose of these analyses is to aid in the accurate diagnosis of disease and/or monitor disease progress before, during and after treatment interventions. Most recently the application of molecular pathology techniques has allowed the laboratory professional to provide information on an individuals genetic make-up and therefore their predisposition to disease.

back to general program description