ABSTRACT
From a somewhat humble beginning using rudimentary chemical and biological tests and microscope slides, laboratory medicine has progressed to become an essential component in the diagnosis and management of disease. It has evolved into a group of subspecialties which includes Histopathology or Cell Pathology, Hematology, Microbiology, Clinical Biochemistry or Clinical Chemistry, and Immunology and these disciplines have specialized further as new areas of science and technology have been adopted. For example, the techniques of molecular biology and genetics have been embraced by all disciplines leading to the development of separate departments in some institutions. In other institutions, however, such developments have prompted a rethink of working practices and the combination of aspects of hematology, immunology, and biochemistry into all-embracing departments of Blood Sciences or Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Throughout these changes, the principles of clinical biochemistry have remained constant, relating and adapting human biochemistry to the development of diagnosis and the management of disease.
