Biochemistry

Biochemistry is one of the cornerstones of medical services offered to patients. Originally started as a branch of Pathology and Physiology, it has now carved a niche for itself among the diagnostic services. The clinical lab began its journey in the 1970s with complete manual testing of analytes. The department had its first significant presence in terms of automation in the clinical lab back in 1993 when arterial blood gas analysis was introduced. In 1996, the department got its first fully automated routine biochemistry analyzer (Boehringer Mannheim 911). Another feather in the cap was added in 2002 when Electrochemiluminescence-based tests were introduced.

The Department of Clinical Biochemistry now is a state-of-the-art medical testing laboratory equipped with fully automated analyzers from companies of international repute to ensure quality results in minimum time. The Biochemistry lab operates 24/7 and caters to about 6.5 lakh samples per annum. The lab offers its services to both the Outpatient Department and Inpatients. It provides reliable and high-quality results after proper verification and validation of tests.

The lab is managed by qualified faculty (Dr. Ekta Bansal, Professor and Head; Dr. Nandita Maini Jindal; and Dr. Himani) as well as biochemists and trained technicians in the field to provide uninterrupted services.

Key Features:

The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art fully automated analyzers in different sections:

• Routine Testing: Beckman Coulter AU-5800, Roche Cobas 8000, Cobas c311
• Immunology Section: Has the latest technology ECLIA (Electrochemiluminescence) on autoanalyzers Roche e411 and e601 and Beckman Coulter Access2 for hormonal assays, vitamins, tumor markers, antibodies, and other specialized tests.
• Special Tests Section: Including ABG (arterial blood gas) analyzer by Werfen (IL); ThermoFisher Phadia 250 for allergy testing, Bio-Rad D10 for HbA1c testing, and Leadcare II for estimation of lead in blood.

The lab offers a comprehensive list of tests in its scope of services, ranging from routine to specialized tests. Panels are available such as lipid profile, cardiac profile, bone profile, allergy profile, anemia profile, immunology profile, multiple myeloma panel, and individual tumor markers.

We also provide screening tests including antenatal screening in different trimesters of pregnancy for the risk of chromosomal disorders and Newborn Screening for inborn metabolic disorders in newborns.

Special Activities:

The department hosted the 27th National Conference of the Association of Medical Biochemists of India (AMBICON) in 2019 and conducted workshops on Cytogenetics, DNA Genotyping, and Plasma Dyscrasias for Biochemistry PG students and faculty from all over India.

The department co-organized the CME “Decoding Genes – The Journey Continues” at DMC&H on 18th April 2023 with the Department of Molecular Genetics.