Corelab: chemistry and immunochemistry

The Corelab is the beating heart of our laboratory. Our high tech line of analyzers ensures fast, high-quality analysis of a wide range of routine parameters in serum, plasma, urine and fluids.
On the one hand, this concerns a large number of chemistry parameters such as glucose, liver tests (e.g., AST, ALT, GGT), lipids (e.g., cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides), kidney function tests (e.g., creatinine, urea) and ions.
On the other hand, it is about immunological tests in which hormones, serological parameters, drugs, tumour markers, allergy tests, immunoglobins and drugs are determined.

Haematology and coagulation

In addition to routine haematological determinations on peripheral blood, immunohaematological examinations (blood type and blood type antibodies), flow cytometry, screening for haemoglobinopathies and malaria diagnostics are also carried out in this department.
The department also evaluates blood clotting, for example when monitoring therapy with oral anticoagulants and diagnostics in the context of coagulation disorders.

Bacteriology

The microbiology department investigates micro-organisms that cause infectious diseases, such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi, parasites…
The inoculation of culture media and the identification and susceptibility determination of these micro-organisms is highly automated. In this way, the response time for our doctors and veterinarians is as short as possible.

Immunology

The immunology department includes infectious serology and autoimmunity. AML has an extensive range of tests and expertise within the latter discipline.
The immunology department takes care of the determination of antibodies in the context of the diagnosis of infectious, non-infectious or autoimmune diseases. It is also responsible for the analysis of immunoglobulins and their subclasses, specific proteins and protein patterns and isozymes.

Occupational medicine, toxicology and judicial analyses (ATG)

The ATG laboratory performs analyses on various materials of both human and animal origin. Metals, trace elements, medicines, drugs and other products are detected with high-tech equipment.
The department offers a very wide range of analyses in the context of industrial medicine. There is extensive expertise in determining solvents and metabolites, metals and other toxic substances. We gladly help companies with their specific questions on biomonitoring.
Thanks to our recognition as court expert, analyses for alcohol and drugs can also be carried out within the framework of legal procedures.
Our clinical biologists with a specialisation in toxicology are at your disposal to guide you through this unique and challenging discipline.

Molecular biology

The molecular biology department is responsible for all analyses at the DNA/RNA level. A distinction can be made between tests based on PCR techniques and analyses using sequencing as the central technology.
The HPV genotyping test is considered the most prominent analysis and includes an in-house developed high-throughput quantitative HPV assay. This unique test is used in daily diagnostics as well as in clinical studies. The added value of this test has also been noted by Sciensano and has earned AML the status of National Reference Centre for HPV.
In addition, there are high-throughput tests, including STD screening and SARS-CoV2 determination has led to a completely new workstation within the department.
Then there are the low-throughput tests, with an extensive menu for both human and animal diagnostics.
Finally, there are the sequencing-based tests, where the NIPT test plays the most prominent role.
As a progressive department, the Molecular Biology Department tries to continuously invest in renewal and expansion of the range of tests.

Pathology

The pathology department processes human and animal samples. Histological and cytological processing can be carried out for both.
Human pathology pays special attention to dermatopathology, gastrointestinal and gynaecologic pathology. It is closely linked to the cytological diagnostics allowing a cytobioptic evaluation to be carried out. Diagnostics are performed after accredited processing of the samples supplemented by immunohistochemical staining. If necessary for the diagnosis or at the request of the oncologist, the biopsies are sent to UZA for molecular testing.
The cytology department processes > 100.000 cervical specimens annually and is thus a strong player in the field of preventive gynaecological medicine.