Laboratory Modules

​Diagnostic samples (blood, urine, stool, puncture fluid, special material) are received by the Institute's central sample reception, Paul-List-Str. 13-15. Requests for laboratory tests can be submitted either online or by filling out a paper-based request form. If necessary samples are split and subsequently forwarded to the respective module for diagnostics. Samples will be stored for 7 days in refrigerators at +4 °C for follow-up analyses. Samples for endocrinological, immunological and molecular testing are stored at -20 °C for 3 months.

​Emergency parameters and routine parameters in serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and urine are determined in this module 24 hours a day. The diagnostic spectrum encompasses electrolytes, enzymes, metabolites, lipids, anorganics, tumor markers, hormones and drugs. Determinations are performed using optical tests, electro-chemical methods and immunoassays in automated laboratory analyzers. Blood gas analysis is done from whole blood samples. In paediatric patients, parameters can also be analyzed in capillary blood or minimal sample volumes.

Diagnostic services in haematology and hemostaseology are provided 24 hours a day. A fully automated hematologic analyzer with a fluorescence flow cytometry unit allows the rapid generation of high quality haematological profiles including differential leukocyte counts. The unit is attached to a fully automated slide maker and stainer which performs standardized smear preparation, adjusting spreader blade angle, spreader speed, and blood volume, depending on the predetermined blood parameters (HCT) for each individual pathological sample.

Pathological blood smears are evaluated manually by specially trained laboratory technicians and physicians. After medical validation the results are directly forwarded to the wards and outpatient clinics.

Our institute offers the full range of clinically relevant standard coagulation tests as well as specific assays to evaluate plasmatic coagulation, platelet function and tests for risk assessment of thrombophilia including genetic testing.

​The immunology unit of our institute performs auto-antibody testing and allergy diagnostics which are carried out in step-wise manner. Immunofluorescence assays are used in the first screening step of most auto-antibody related diseases. Depending on the results of these screening tests and the patient's clinical history ELISAs are used for subsequent testing. In allergy diagnostics initial screening tests are performed using enzymatic assays (fluorescence enzyme immuno assay). Based on these results, single allergens can then be tested individually
     
The endocrinology unit offers testing of a broad spectrum of hormones and metabolites that are to a large extent analyzed by imuno assays (including radio immuno assay) and HPLC. At present novel assays based on tandem mass spectrometry and multiplex-analyses are evaluated for their suitability in routine clinical testing. In addition, we offer development and evaluation of in-house and commercially available assays for clinical research.

​This module applies PCR-based assays to the analyses of nucleic acids, as well as chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods for therapeutic drug monitoring and diagnostics of metabolic diseases. Molecular diagnostics offers screening for coagulation disorders, metabolic disease and monitoring of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). These novel techniques have only recently been transferred from biochemical research laboratories to daily clinical routine. Most of the assays currently used in clinical applications have been developed in our institute. These tests require special expertise in the medical evaluation of the results.

​The microbiology laboratory performs conventional cultivation assays, as well as PCR-based molecular diagnostics and serological testing. It is equipped with state of the art semi-automated technology (pathogen identification and determination of antibiotic resistance) which leads to a significant reduction of analysis time and allows faster transfer of results as compared to conventional cultivation assays.

​Our laboratory provides testing for all newborn metabolic and endocrinological disorders covered by the German Newborn Screening program. The Screening Center of Saxony and Thuringia consists of the Childrens Hospitals of the Universities of Leipzig, Dresden and Jena and the screening laboratory of our institution. Our laboratory performs tests in dried blood spots of approx. 36000 newborns a year. Further information is available at the homepage of the Screening Center Saxony and Thuringia (German only).