COVER STORIES

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal forms of the disease, due in part to lack of an effective early-stage diagnostic. Although CT scanning recently has proven to reduce lung cancer-related mortality, it is an imperfect marker. Body fluid-based biomarkers may be the answer to enhancing early diagnosis of this disease and helping improve survival rates.

As physicians struggle to keep up with the demands of today’s complex healthcare system, some forward thinking laboratorians are finding that working directly with pharmacists can enhance the value and efficiency of both lab tests and drugs.

SERIES ARTICLE

Traditional methods for identifying microorganisms focus on lengthy culturing techniques followed by growth of selective media for phenotypic characterization, Gram staining, and ultimately biochemical identification methods. Emerging mass spectrometry methods, however, are now making accurate bacterial identification significantly faster.

NEWS BRIEF

INSIDE

To mark the first anniversary of the Clinical Chemistry Trainee Council, Nader Rifai, PhD, editor-in-chief of Clinical Chemistry, discusses the program’s development and plans for the future.

PROFILES