Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology
Forensic science shows are fascinating. Using DNA, a stray hair, an odd chemical compound, or the components of urine and blood to track down criminals is just cool. Even better? Many of the same technologies help millions of people every day in medical labs. Advances in Medical Laboratory Technology help doctors diagnose problems more quickly and treat them more effectively. Depending on the job, Lab Techs use sophisticated equipment to examine cells for abnormal growth, including cancer; collect, prepare and type blood for transfusion; perform genetic testing; and monitor immune system responses.
Did you know?
- Blood tests have been around for decades but scientists continue to refine blood screening for early detection of prostate, colon and breast cancer, appendicitis, pancreatitis and other diseases.
- The average adult body contains 14 to 18 pints of blood, which makes up 7 percent of body weight.
- Lab tests of blood, urine and tissue both help diagnose problems and monitor treatment of them.
- Discovery of what caused epidemics such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, and cholera in the 1880s and the development of tests for detecting them in the late 1890s elevated the importance of laboratory medicine – and its status.
- DNA tests for paternity, ancestry, genealogy in adoption cases and even identifying different breeds in a mutt are big business.