Medical Biochemistry is a branch of biochemistry that focuses on the study of biochemical processes associated with health and disease in humans. These major combines basic biochemistry concepts with medical applications to understand diseases, develop treatments, and improve health care.

Fields of study in medical biochemistry:

• Clinical Biochemistry: The study and application of biochemistry in diagnosing diseases and analyzing biological samples such as blood and urine.
• Metabolism: The study of the biochemical processes that occur in the body to convert food into energy and build and renew cells.
• Clinical Enzymology: The study of enzymes, their role in biological processes, and how they are used as biomarkers to diagnose diseases.
• Genetic biochemistry: The study of the chemical interactions of genes and how genetic changes affect health and disease.
• Biochemical pharmacology: the study of the effect of drugs on biochemical reactions in the body and how to develop new drugs.

Required skills:

• Strong analytical skills: to analyze data and biochemical reactions.
• Research capabilities: to conduct experiments and discover biochemical mechanisms associated with health and disease.
• Technical knowledge: to understand and use modern devices and technologies in medical research and diagnosis.
• Critical thinking: to interpret results and reach accurate conclusions.

Work fields:

• Medical laboratories: Work in hospital laboratories and medical centers to analyze biological samples and diagnose diseases.
• Scientific research: working in universities or research institutions to study diseases and develop treatments.
• Pharmaceutical industries: development of new drugs and treatments.
• Education: Teaching medical biochemistry in universities and medical institutes.
• Medical consultations: Providing scientific advice to companies or health authorities on medical technologies and innovations.

Importance of medical biochemistry:

• Disease diagnosis: This specialty helps in developing accurate diagnostic techniques for diseases through the analysis of biological samples.
• Developing treatments: Understanding the biochemical mechanisms of diseases helps in developing effective drugs and treatments.
• Medical research: contributes to a deeper understanding of vital processes related to health and disease, leading to improved health care.
• Disease prevention: By studying biochemical reactions, strategies can be developed to prevent diseases before they occur.

Medical biochemistry applications:

• Laboratory tests: analysis of glucose, cholesterol, and enzyme levels as part of routine examinations to evaluate health status.
• Drug development: The discovery and development of new drugs that target biochemical processes associated with diseases.
• Personalized medicine: customizing treatments based on individual biochemical differences between patients.
• Genetic research: The study of genetic changes and their impact on health, which helps in developing personalized treatments for genetic diseases.

The specialty of Medical Biochemistry combines basic science with clinical applications, making it vital for understanding diseases, developing treatments, and improving human health.