Operational, occupational and academic training at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry

Clinical chemistry is a key interdisciplinary subject in medicine. Correspondingly, lectures on clinical chemistry are held in several thematic blocks in the third and fourth year of the medical curriculum: basic principles; the cardiovascular system; liver and gastrointestinal tract; musculoskeletal system; endocrinology and metabolic processes; the nervous system; kidneys, water and electrolyte balance. In the clinical chemistry part of the laboratory medicine course, students familiarize themselves with the various forms of laboratory diagnostics (i.e. the central laboratory, bedside testing and patient self-monitoring) by using examples of glucose measurements and blood gas analysis, and by a guided tour through the institute. Further learning objectives include an increased awareness of the importance of pre-analytics and quality assurance to ensure the validity of laboratory test results. In the sixth year of the study, selected areas of laboratory medicine are summarized within the clinical context: the indication for requesting and interpretation of clinical laboratory tests, problems associated with pre-analytics and post-analytics, and screening tests.

Due to the main focus areas of research, in the Institute of Clinical Chemistry special expertise exists in the field of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.

In the second year of the medical curriculum the fundamentals of the structure, function of lipoproteins as well as lipoprotein metabolism are taught as part of the ‘metabolism’ lecture series. Some inherited lipid metabolism disorders are described to better understand the molecular basis. In addition, the importance of dyslipidemia and its treatment for atherosclerosis are explained. The clinical lectures in the third, fourth and sixth years of the medical curriculum focus on the role of plasma lipids as cardiovascular risk factors as well as on the differential diagnosis and therapy of lipid metabolism disorders.

The latest developments in the diagnosis and therapy of lipid metabolism disorders are presented and discussed in the optional study modules ‘cardiovascular system’ and ‘transport’. The ‘molecular medicine’ seminar series of the Master’s degree program in Biochemistry focuses on the molecular mechanisms of inherited lipid metabolism disorders, the relationship between lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, and the pharmacological treatment of lipid metabolism disorders.

The IKC coordinates two internships in research laboratories, a one-week internship for medical students and a three-week internship for the Master’s degree program in human biology (BME 303: ‘diseases of the main body systems’). Multiple translational research groups of the Faculty of Medicine participate in these programs. In each laboratory, up to three students carry out experiments that on the one hand provide insights into the particular research topic and on the other hand enable them to familiarize themselves with modern biochemical, molecular and cell biology techniques. Registration prodecure via Faculty of Science or Faculty of Medicine. Furthermore, the Institute of Clinical Chemistry provides approx. two extraordinary interships per year for (future) students of other universities. Therefor please apply to info.ikc@usz.ch

The IKC offers Master’s theses for students of medicine and natural sciences at the UZH and students of pharmaceutical science at the ETHZ. The themes arise from specific research areas or current challenges in the field of laboratory medical diagnostics. Interested students should contact either arnold.voneckardstein@usz.ch or one of the leaders of the research projects.

Researchers at the IKC assign and supervise doctoral dissertations in medicine and natural sciences. The IKC is a member of PhD programs Biomedicine of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School. Prof. von Eckardstein is entitled to award doctoral degrees to students at the medical and mathematics-natural sciences faculties of the University of Zurich. It is also possible to carry out a doctorate at the ETHZ. Interested students should contact either arnold.voneckardstein@usz.ch or one of the leaders of the research projects.

The Institute of Clinical Chemistry offers temporary training positions for physicians and natural scientists who wish to become FAMH-certified specialists for laboratory medicine with specialization in clinical chemistry. The IKC also organizes block courses and teaches in the Certificate of Advanced Studies course “Laboratory Medicine” organized at UZH for FAMH candidates in Switzerland.

Contact is Prof. Dr. A. von Eckardstein (arnold.voneckardstein@usz.ch).

The IKC is committed to the education and training of biomedical scientists at all levels. The IKC offers internship positions for biomedical scientists in education.

The IKC organizes advanced vocational training courses for biomedical scientists that are intended to prepare for the higher professional examination expert in biomedical analysis and laboratory management.

The diagnostics division organizes every month mandatory continuous education events for biomedical scientists across various institutes and departments.

Contact for the education to biomedical scientists is Kathrin Bauer (kathrin.bauer@usz.ch).