The Department of Clinical Biochemistry
The mission of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry is to provide high quality education and research in the field of clinical biochemical laboratory diagnostics, which is an integral part of health service. Educational activities include preparation of programs and teaching of Laboratory Biomedicine and Clinical Biochemistry at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In collaboration with Slovenian Chamber of Laboratory Medicine the Department also participates in the theoretic segment of the specialization in Medical Biochemistry.
Research of the Department is focused on the development of complete clinical biochemical diagnostics, with an emphasis on molecular and cell diagnostics. The main goals of research are to uncover the mechanisms of diseases and to identify new biological markers, which can be used in the diagnosis and follow-up. The research areas include: bone diseases (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis), insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heavy metal poisoning, coeliac disease, galactosemia, lactose intolerance, Gilbert’s syndrome, autoimmune diseases, coronary artery disease, lung cancer, pharmacogenetics of thiopurine methyltransferase and certain types of leukemia. Methods for studying diseases at the level of DNA, RNA, cells, tissues and in several biological fluids (plasma, serum, urine) are developed. With these methods the mechanisms of diseases are studied and the key molecules, which could be used as new diagnostic markers are identified. The diagnostic utility of potential new diagnostic markers is evaluated in studies conducted in collaboration with University Medical Centre Ljubljana, University Medical Centre Maribor and some regional hospitals.
An important part of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry is the Laboratory for molecular diagnostics (LMD-KKB). The laboratory offers molecular diagnostic tests test developed during research work to tertiary level of health service.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry has developed strong collaborations with the Laboratory Medicine profession in Slovenia and abroad. Professors are active members of professional bodies like Board for Laboratory Medicine at Ministry of Health, Slovenian Chamber of Laboratory Medicine, Slovenian Association for Clinical Chemistry and others.