Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the University of Coimbra

We live in times of constant changes. These changes have had, and continue to have a major impact on the daily life of the University of Coimbra. All of our services, with no exception, have had to adapt to new demands, without leaving their mission aside. This was also the case with the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the University of Coimbra (LACUC).

The Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the University of Coimbra (LACUC), was created in October 1983. Initially designed for pedagogical purposes for the students of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, LACUC quickly expanded its areas of activity. It is now located in Campus I of the University of Coimbra, on the 2nd floor of the former building of the Faculty of Medicine, integrated in the UC Health Services.

The main mission of LACUC is to provide high quality services on laboratory diagnosis to both academic and non-academic community. Additionaly, LACUC provides training to UC students and support to scientific research activities. As a University Laboratory, LACUC uses its expertise in the support of the learning process of UC students, providing internships in Clinical Analysis or collaborating in laboratory classes from different cycles of studies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the laboratory was fully dedicated to the diagnosis of the disease, conducting PCR tests on a daily basis. Patrícia Madaleno, Associate Technical Director of the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the University of Coimbra, says that "Laboratories had to adapt to this new reality and those were very challenging times". At the time, the laboratory capacity of the Central Region of Portugal was clearly insufficient, in view of the challenges that were foreseen. Aware of the UC unique position, combined with the technical capacity and know-how, LACUC was provided with the necessary resources and skills to strengthen the national response to COVID-19.

The establishment of a Partnership Agreement with the Centre Regional Health Administration (ARS Centro), enabled LACUC to provide a greater and faster laboratory response on the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infection to the population of this region. Three LACUC teams - the lab team, the sample collection team and the administrative team worked daily on testing, diagnosing and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as assessing the immunity developed after infection or vaccination.

Amidst constant challenges, this is how the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the University of Coimbra has grown, always seeking to quickly respond to challenges, according to the Associate Technical Director of LACUC, Patrícia Madaleno. Each week the team's ability to adapt is challenged, and they have been able to rise to all the challenges, which show, above all, the determination to always aiming to go further.

Content Production and Editing: Catarina Ribeiro and Inês Coelho, DCOM

Image Editing: Sara Baptista, NMAR

Translation: Diana Taborda

^{Published: 22.04.2021}