Specialised Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry and Toxicology

Medical Scope

The Department is active in a series of broad areas: general biochemistry (for which most tests are turned around within one day); tumour markers; toxicology; occupational health (lead levels, aluminium levels, ALA, ALA dehydratase, zinc protoporphyrins); quantitative drug determination; carboxyhaemoglobin levels; carbon monoxide; identification of haemoglobin variants; characterisation of calculi; investigation of digestive function (faecal digestion, steatorrhoea, creatorrhoea); nutrition (trace elements and vitamins); electrophoresis; and specific protein assays.

Activities and Techniques

The specialised skills of Biomnis technicians coupled with their state-of-the-art equipment (e.g. inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas phase chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry and Fourrier transform infrared spectrometry) allow optimal performance using the considered reference technique.
For example, infrared morpho-constitutional analysis of calculi not only reliably identifies and quantifies the various constituent compounds but also provides the clinician with etiologic clues to help orientate therapeutic strategy.

Research and Development

Collaborations with university hospital-based research units have led to the development of novel diagnostic tools such as the [13C]Urea Breath Test to detect Helicobacter pylori. In addition, a collaboration with the Porphyria Diagnosis Reference Centre (Professor Deybach, Louis Mourier University Hospital, Colombes) consolidates our expertise in this field.

Biomnis Publications

Biomnis & vous

Specialised Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry and Toxicology

Medical Scope

Activities and Techniques

Research and Development

Continuous educational program