Biochemistry

The Biochemistry area of Catlab has facilities with a high degree of automation and a high technological level. Every day, 4800 samples of different types are processed: blood, serum, plasma, urine, faeces, semen and biological liquids.

Biochemistry

Distribución del área

Core

The core consists of a chain that integrates pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes. Regarding the analytical part, the chain has four arms with spectrophotometric analysers, immunochemistry and ISE modules where serum samples are processed, mostly for basic biochemistry, plasma proteins, vitamins, tumour markers, hormones, serology and drugs of abuse. Two analysers for basic urine examination and automated sediment (microscopy) are also integrated in the chain.

Prenatal screening

Screening of the risk of aneuploidy in the first trimester of pregnancy. Catlab carries out more than 4400 screenings per year, centralising the study of a total of five ultrasound centres. It is recognised by the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya, collaborating with the ‘Grup de Treball de Tècniques de Laboratori pel Cribratge Prenatal de Catalunya’.

HPLC-MS

A high performance liquid chromatography analyser coupled to tandem mass spectrometry is available for therapeutic monitoring of drugs and vitamins.

Spermiograms

Semen analysis for the study of sterility and vasectomy.

Other

Other analysers not integrated into the chain are also available for special studies such as certain hormones, faecal occult blood, osmolality and some drugs of abuse, semen biochemistry and other manual techniques.