Specialties for a Biomedical Laboratory Science Degree
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Virology
- Immunology
- Histology
Laboratory science related to human health is a wide field, and understanding these five specialties for a biomedical laboratory scientist could make it easier for a person to choose a concentration or area of study for their degree. Having an area of specialty could also make it easier to gain employment. Each of these five areas of biomedical laboratory science is an important and growing area of scientific interest.
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of acellular, single-celled, and multi-celled microorganisms. These include fungi, parasites, bacteria and viruses. In some cases, microbiology may also include the study of infectious proteins, which are also called prions. Most people who work in microbiology as a specialty have a sub-specialty of focus, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, chronic wasting disease in deer or the study of poisonous “red tide” in the Gulf of Mexico. A person whose specialty is in microbiology might study one particular type of bacteria or fungi for their entire career. Others may work on a gene that controls the development of a cellular membrane or what causes a bacterium to go into a state of hibernation until its environmental conditions improve.
Hematology
Hematology is the study of the blood and its components. A person who specializes in this type of biomedical laboratory science may study blood in healthy or ill people or animals. These specialists typically study the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the blood, such as leukemia or hemochromatosis. Hematologists also study the production of blood and different blood components. For example, they might study what causes a decrease in white blood cells after a person recovers from cancer treatments or a bacterial infection.
Virology
Virology is a specialty of biomedical laboratory science that involves the study of viruses. Those viruses may be ones that impact plants, bacteria or animals. Some biomedical laboratory scientists might spend their whole careers working on one particular virus, such as hepatitis C virus. Others might work on the genetics of viruses, vaccines or treatments for the illnesses caused by viruses. Biomedical laboratory scientists may also process body fluid and tissue samples in order to identify viruses causing disease.
Immunology
Immunology is a specialty that involves the study of the immune system of any animal. A person who has this specialty might work on a particular disease of the immune system or a condition that affects the immune system, such as infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. It also includes the study of autoimmune diseases and their diagnosis, risk factors and treatments. Immunology can include the processing of blood and tissue samples and identification of auto-immune markers or the markers of a poorly functioning immune system. Immunohematology is a sub-specialty that involves blood bank work and the processing of human blood donations and samples for use in research or as a medical treatment for another person.
Histology
According to The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, histopathology, histocompatibility and histotechnology are another specialty grouping of biomedical laboratory science. Histocompatibility relates to having compatible tissues, such as when a person is in need of a kidney transplant or skin graft. Histopathology relates to tissue diseases, disorders and death. Histotechnology encompasses these and the use of technology for studying and preparing tissues for use in the laboratory.
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These are not the only five specialties for biomedical laboratory science, and a person may also want to investigate some of the others, including bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, toxicology, genetics, electron microscopy or cytopathology. Keep in mind that all of these areas have some overlap, and cross-training in knowledge and skill is also important for working in a laboratory. These five specialties in biomedical laboratory science could prove to be a personally and professionally satisfying career for the right person.