Milestones in clinical chemistry

Clinical chemistry is the science on the border of the two disciplines: medicine and chemistry. It is defined as the application of the chemistry in the study of biological samples in order to diagnose, treat, cure diseases as well as in monitoring and prognosis [1]. Development of clinical chemistry is dated on the 19th century. Biuret test, and a method for detection of sugar in the urine were then described, also blood gases were extracted [13, 17]. In the mid of 19th century blood could be analyzed for the presence of potassium, sodium, phosphorus and calcium [31]. In the second half of 19th century Duboscq built first colorimeter. This model was widely adapted in laboratories and was in use till the 20-ties of 20th century [44]. Colorimetry also became the most popular technique in the clinical chemistry. In the 80ties of 19th century was developed a method for estimating the concentration of creatinine and detection of bilirubin [36, 39]. Increasing number of available laboratory tests resulted in the separation laboratory diagnostic as a distinguish branch of science. At the beginning of 20th century has been introduced quantitative analytical methods for determination of ammonia, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, uric acid, nitrogen, phosphorus, and chloride in biological fluids as well as measurements of blood gases. In 1930 was introduced clinical enzymology with the first method for assessing the activity of alkaline phosphatase. In the mid of 20th century in the medical laboratories routinely were measured amylase, lipase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, phosphocreatine kinase, alanine and asparagine aminotransferases [78, 79]. Development of electrical engineering and computing resulted with intensive development of laboratory instruments. First automated spectrophotometer was invented in 1957 (Autoanalyzer, Technicon company). In 1970, Automatic Clinical Analyzer f. Du Pont was able to perform determinations in any configurations not as so far in the series [99]