Clinical Chemistry Analysis and Blood Testing
This service includes a wide range of biochemical analyses that measure molecules found in various bodily fluids (blood, urine, puncture fluids). In most cases, patients need to fast before the sample collection, and results are available within a few hours — or within minutes for urgent parameters (such as cardiac markers).
The results of these tests are essential for diagnosing and monitoring many conditions, including diabetes and dyslipidemia.
These measurements require the use of several different techniques, such as :
- Colorimetry
- Enzymology
- Direct potentiometry
- Turbidimetry
- Chromatography
- Mass spectrometry
Hematology Analysis and Blood Testing
This service is divided into three main areas:
Cellular Hematology, where routine tests such as complete blood counts (CBC), blood smears, and more specialized analyses for monitoring blood disorders are performed. These include myelograms, immunophenotyping, and molecular biology tests. We utilize flow cytometry for precise identification of different blood cell populations. Our cytology expertise also covers blood parasitology, including malaria detection.
Hemostasis, which focuses on specialized tests to investigate thrombotic and bleeding disorders. This includes routine analyses such as monitoring anticoagulant therapies, as well as specialized tests for hemostatic conditions associated with bleeding or thrombotic risks.
Immunohematology, which includes erythrocyte immunohematology testing such as:
Blood grouping (ABO-RhD and Rh-Kell phenotyping)
Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)
Screening for anti-erythrocyte antibodies (antibody screening test, AST)
Blood grouping is performed in established or potential pre-transfusion contexts, as well as in prenatal, perinatal, or pre-marital situations. Following blood grouping, a blood group card is issued to the patient.
All analyses are performed using reference techniques based on gel filtration.
Immunology Analysis and Blood Testing
Immunology broadly explores the body’s defenses against foreign elements (non-self) and tolerance toward its own components (self). It is a vast field that we organize around three main divisions.
1. Allergology
Our bodies are exposed daily to food, respiratory, or contact allergens that can potentially trigger severe hypersensitivity reactions. Through tests performed on patients’ serum, the laboratory can identify the allergens (such as pollens or peanuts) responsible for these reactions.
2. Autoimmunity
This refers to an attack by our immune system on our own body components. The incidence of these diseases has increased significantly in recent years in Western countries, affecting about 10% of the population. Some of these diseases are organ-specific, such as celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Others are non-specific and systemic, affecting the entire body, such as connective tissue diseases and vasculitis. Techniques like immunofluorescence help detect these dysfunctions and monitor ongoing treatments.
3. Immune status
This involves assessing the state of the immune system at a given moment, somewhat like an electrocardiogram for the heart. To do this, we use advanced techniques such as flow cytometry, capillary electrophoresis, and in vitro lymphocyte stimulation. Overall, the immune system may be deficient, leaving the body insufficiently protected. Conversely, it may be overactive, notably in cases of monoclonal diseases. The biologist’s interpretation is very important in this type of examination.
Medical Analysis – Microbiology
Microbiology encompasses all disciplines (bacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology) that study microscopic organisms. It is organized into four main areas:1. Infectious Serology
These tests are performed on the patient’s blood and allow for the diagnosis of:- viral infections (hepatitis, HIV, measles, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr)
- bacterial infections (syphilis, Lyme disease, brucellosis)
- parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis)
2. Bacteriology, Mycology, and Parasitology
The laboratory cultures various bodily secretions and fluids on appropriate media to identify the bacterial or fungal agents responsible for the infection. After identification, we perform antibiotic susceptibility testing or antifungal susceptibility testing to determine the most effective treatment. Parasitology involves the direct detection of parasites in patient samples through careful microscopic examination. These analyses can be performed on stool, urine, biological fluids, blood, and other tissues.3. Molecular Biology
Microbiology has been revolutionized in recent years by nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT). Every living organism has a unique genetic signature based on either DNA or RNA. Molecular biology enables the detection of nucleic acid sequences specific to each species of bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite in a sample. This technique is highly sensitive, allowing detection of even a few microorganisms. It is also very specific, enabling precise identification of pathogens. Moreover, recent advances have made the technique simpler and faster, with results available within a few hours. However, this method does not determine whether microorganisms are viable nor does it allow antibiotic susceptibility testing.4. Hygiene
Two main areas are involved: the food industry and hospital hygiene. Bacteriological analyses of food products and work environments are essential to ensure consumer food safety. Molecular biology is still underused in this field despite providing reliable and rapid results. Hospital hygiene focuses on controlling the sterility level of medical equipment to prevent nosocomial infections. Molecular biology now allows us to achieve very high levels of pathogen detection and quick response times, enabling more rational use of medical equipment and helping reduce healthcare costs.Medical Analysis – Pathology
Pathology is a medical specialty practiced by FMH-certified specialist physicians, focusing on the screening and diagnosis of diseases based on cells and tissues collected from patients. Through this specialized examination of cellular and tissue abnormalities, we contribute to disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis, particularly in the field of cancer. The work of Espace Lab physicians is carried out across two sites equipped with advanced technical platforms, including specialized departments in cytology, macroscopy, conventional optical microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, and flow cytometry.Molecular Biology Analysis and Sampling
In medicine, this field is dedicated to the study of molecules carrying hereditary information (DNA, RNA), their structure, synthesis, and mutations. At the heart of molecular biology lies a continually evolving technique: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). This enzymatic reaction allows for the selection and amplification of a specific DNA fragment (the target), initially present in very small quantities within a sample, among millions of other fragments.
Each analysis includes three main steps:
- Capture and extraction of the target
- Amplification of the target
- Detection of the amplification products
In practice, PCR consists of cycles that repeat in a loop, typically between 20 and 40 cycles.
In medicine, there are three main applications:
- Detection and identification of infectious agents, whether viral (hepatitis), bacterial (Escherichia coli), fungal (Candida), or parasitic (Toxoplasma).
- Detection and identification of genetic diseases (myopathy) or genetic predispositions (HLA Class II and gluten intolerance).
- Detection and identification of genetic mutations within tumor cells in cases of cancer (NRAS gene in melanoma).
NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technology now allows rapid sequencing of the DNA or RNA of any organism, enabling precise determination of its genome.
This rapidly developing technology is becoming more accessible and will revolutionize our approach, especially in genetics.
Molecular biology is involved in all laboratory domains: hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, microbiology, cytology, and histology.
Espace Lab has equipped itself with a highly modern molecular biology platform to provide practitioners with fast and reliable results in their daily work.
Nutritional Assessment and Blood Testing
Nutrition is a key factor in our overall health. “Let food be thy medicine,” Hippocrates famously said. Yet, our daily eating habits often lead us away from a healthy, balanced, and high-quality diet.
The nutritional assessments offered by Espace Lab are generally straightforward and provide a personalized overview because each individual is unique. Our needs vary depending on gender, age, and activity level, making it crucial to determine your actual nutritional requirements to identify both excesses and deficiencies in your diet.
We offer standard profiles, but each test that makes up these profiles can be prescribed individually.
The “Digestive Physiology” profile analyzes the status of molecules supplied or dependent on diet. Deficiencies or excesses in these molecules are linked to poor health (such as abnormal fatigue, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, etc.) and an increased risk of lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, and inflammation. This profile measures erythrocyte fatty acids, inflammatory status, zinc and selenium levels, homocysteine, and vitamin D. Abnormalities revealed by this assessment can be corrected through dietary and lifestyle changes.
The “Urinary Organic Metabolites” profile evaluates the state of the gut microbiota by identifying specific urinary markers. Depending on the results, it may be necessary to implement strategies to rebalance the gut flora through dietary adjustments, probiotic and/or prebiotic prescriptions, natural antimicrobials, or medications.
The “Neurophysiology” profile is a blood and urine analysis that offers a nutritional and functional approach to the main parameters involved in brain neurotransmission. The results help optimize brain function through tailored nutrition, personalized micronutrient supplementation, and adjustment of any ongoing treatments.
The “Oncophysiology” profile is the first integrated biological profile designed to evaluate a set of biological parameters directly related to diet and whose imbalances are associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer and disease progression. According to the WHO, 40% of deaths related to malignant diseases are attributable to inadequate nutrition. Correcting nutrient excesses and deficiencies could thus be the most effective strategy to reduce cancer development and lower the risk of recurrence.
For more information about nutritional assessments and functional biology, you can contact Dr. Frédéric Rimaz, nutritionist, directly at: info@espace-lab.ch
