Blog
Articles on laboratory equipment, quality control, omics, allergology and lab software
74 articles
Laboratory Microscopes
What makes a good laboratory microscope for medical diagnostics, and how to select, order and import a professional microscope from a European manufacturer.
Pipettes and Dispensers
Mechanical and electronic pipettes and dispensers for precise liquid handling, and how KombiMED procures Gilson, Eppendorf and Sartorius models from Europe.
Spectrometers
Types of laboratory spectrometers, from IR and X-ray fluorescence to atomic absorption and mass spectrometers, and how to buy European models through KombiMED.
Laboratory Shakers
The routine work of mixing and shaking tubes and flasks can now be left to equipment. Learn about shaker types, applications and how to choose one.
Mass Spectrometry: How It Works
How mass spectrometry works: ionization, mass-to-charge separation and detection, key applications, pros and cons, and the main types of mass analyzers.
What Is Chromatography?
Chromatography separates mixtures into their components. Learn how it works, its main types, HPLC and GC-MS/LC-MS, and its uses in medicine and industry.
How a Microscope Works: Design and Principle
How a laboratory microscope is built, how it works and how to use it correctly, from its mechanical, optical and electrical parts to focusing a slide safely.
Calibration of Measuring Equipment
Why laboratory measuring equipment needs regular calibration, how on-site and service-center calibration work, and when in-house calibration makes sense.
How to Choose Laboratory Equipment
How to choose laboratory equipment: pre-analytical vs. analytical instruments, budget, workload, workflow compatibility and energy efficiency.
Proteomics: What It Is and Why Medicine Needs It
Proteomics studies proteins: their composition, quantity, structure, modifications and interactions. Learn why it matters in medicine and what labs need.
Proteomics in Medicine: Biomarkers and Diagnostics
How proteomics helps medicine: protein biomarker discovery, therapy response assessment, oncology applications and what a lab needs to implement proteomics.
How Proteomic Analysis Works in the Laboratory
Proteomics is often seen as a complex high-tech field reserved for large centers. Here is how the workflow runs, from sample preparation to data analysis.
Metabolomics: What It Is and Why It Matters
Metabolomics studies metabolites, the small molecules produced by metabolism. Learn where it is applied, what the workflow involves and which lab equipment it needs.
Metabolomics vs. Proteomics: What Is the Difference?
Metabolomics or proteomics first? Learn what each omics approach reveals, when to start with which, and why many labs combine both methods.
Transcriptomics: What It Studies and Which Problems It Solves
Transcriptomics studies RNA transcripts that reflect gene activity in cells and tissues. Learn where it is used, its limits and what labs need for reliable results.
Transcriptomics in a Multi-Omics Project
Transcriptomics rarely stands alone. Learn how RNA data is combined with proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics in a multi-omics laboratory project.
Bioinformatics in Omics Research
Why bioinformatics is essential in omics research: data processing, quality control, molecule identification, pathway analysis and lab infrastructure.
How to Prepare a Laboratory for Omics Projects
A practical checklist for preparing your laboratory for proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics projects: samples, equipment, data and service.
Allergy Diagnosis: The Skin Prick Test
The skin prick test is a core method for diagnosing allergic diseases. Learn the procedure, testing rules, contraindications and how results are interpreted.
Allergy and Psychosomatics
How allergy and psychosomatics are linked: how stress affects allergic reactions, how psychosomatic causes are identified and why combined treatment helps.
Molecular Allergy Diagnostics
Molecular allergy diagnostics: the three stages of allergy testing, major and minor allergens, cross-reactivity and selecting patients for allergen immunotherapy.
Allergic Rhinitis and Its Consequences
Allergic rhinitis explained: symptoms, diagnosis with skin prick tests and specific IgE, complications, and why seasonal and perennial forms need timely treatment.
AIT: Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy
AIT is a modern allergy treatment. Learn how it works, the SCIT and SLIT forms, its effectiveness and why molecular allergy diagnostics comes first.
Food Allergy: Myths and Facts
Common myths about food allergy and the scientific facts behind them: how allergy differs from food intolerance, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Tree Pollen Allergy
Tree pollen allergy (pollinosis) from birch, alder and hazel: symptoms, cross-reactive food allergy, diagnosis and treatment options explained.
Bronchial Asthma and Allergy
Bronchial asthma is an allergic airway disease. Learn about its triggers, symptoms, diagnosis (spirometry, IgE, FeNO) and modern treatment options.
Pet Allergy
Cat and dog allergy: the main allergens (Fel d 1, Can f 1), typical symptoms, molecular diagnostics and the role of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in treatment.
Insect Allergy
Insect allergy to bee, wasp and hornet stings: types of reactions, laboratory diagnosis, venom immunotherapy (AIT) and emergency treatment.
Drug Allergy
Drug allergy: the most common drug allergens, types of reactions, diagnosis with skin tests, specific IgE and the basophil activation test (BAT), and prevention.
How to Read an Allergy Chip (ISAC)
The ImmunoCAP ISAC chip is the gold standard of molecular allergy diagnostics: 112 allergen components, major and minor proteins and interpreting ISU results.
Types of Allergy Diagnostics
An overview of allergy diagnostic methods: skin prick tests, patch tests, specific IgE testing, molecular allergy diagnostics and provocation tests.
The Complete Allergy Care Cycle: From ImmunoCAP ISAC to ROXALL AIT
The complete allergy care cycle: ImmunoCAP ISAC molecular diagnostics, AIT selection and ROXALL AIT treatment, supplied by exclusive distributor KombiMED.
LC-MS/MS in Anti-Aging: MDA, Glutathione and Oxidative Stress
How LC-MS/MS quantifies MDA, glutathione, isoprostanes and other oxidative stress markers in anti-aging panels, plus the equipment and preanalytics required.
8-OHdG and DNA Damage Markers in Anti-Aging Medicine
Methods for measuring 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and other markers of oxidative DNA damage, plus the lab equipment and QC they require.
Steroid Hormones: LC-MS/MS Profiling for Anti-Aging
Multi-steroid panels on tandem mass spectrometers: why LC-MS/MS is the gold standard for hormone profiling in anti-aging medicine, with panels and equipment.
Andrology and Men's Health in Anti-Aging: Laboratory Equipment
CASA systems, hormone panels and laboratory equipment for the andrology and men's health service of an anti-aging clinic, from LC-MS/MS to flow cytometry.
Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's: Biomarkers and Equipment
Neurofilament light, Aβ42/40 and p-tau: laboratory platforms and blood biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Epigenetic Clocks and Biological Age: Equipment and Methods
Illumina EPIC arrays, pyrosequencing, Nanopore and the Horvath, PhenoAge and GrimAge algorithms: equipment and methods for measuring biological age in the lab.
Telomeres and Cellular Aging: Research Equipment
qPCR, FISH and Flow-FISH methods for measuring telomere length, senescence markers and the equipment needed for a cellular aging research laboratory.
Genetics and Anti-Aging: NGS Panels for Assessing Aging Risks
NGS sequencers and targeted panels for polygenic risk scores, pharmacogenomics and longevity genetics, plus the equipment an anti-aging genetics lab needs.
GLP-1 / Semaglutide: Laboratory Monitoring of Anti-Aging Therapy
Laboratory equipment for monitoring patients on GLP-1 agonist therapy such as semaglutide: clinical chemistry, hormones and mass spectrometry.
NAD+ and Senolytics: Laboratory Assessment of Anti-Aging Interventions
Methods for measuring NAD+ and senescence markers and evaluating senolytic therapy, plus the lab equipment needed, from LC-MS/MS to multiplex SASP panels.
The Microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis: Diagnostics in Anti-Aging
NGS sequencing of the microbiome, metabolomics of short-chain fatty acids and the lab equipment needed to study the gut-brain axis in anti-aging medicine.
A Multi-Omics Approach to Longevity: Integrating Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics
How SomaScan, Olink, Metabolon and NGS platforms combine to build a multi-omics "aging passport" in an anti-aging and longevity laboratory.
The Anti-Aging Laboratory of the Future: From Concept to Complete Equipment
A reference model for an anti-aging laboratory: functional zones, equipment, automation, ROI and KombiMED's role as a laboratory integrator.
Immunochemistry Analyzers for Cardiac Markers: Choosing a Platform
A review of immunochemistry platforms for cardiac markers: Abbott ARCHITECT, Roche Elecsys, Siemens Atellica and Beckman Access, plus key selection criteria.
POCT Analyzers for Cardiology: Rapid Bedside Diagnostics
Portable POCT cardiac marker analyzers compared: i-STAT, cobas h 232, AQT90 and more. Turnaround time, accuracy, quality control and LIS integration.
ABPM Monitors: 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
How to choose an ABPM monitor: oscillometric, auscultatory and combined devices, ESH diagnostic thresholds and selection criteria. Spacelabs, Schiller, Meditech.
Vascular Ultrasound Systems and Doppler in Cardiology
Ultrasound systems for vascular diagnostics: duplex scanning, Doppler ultrasound, ABI, NASCET carotid stenosis criteria and how to choose a system.
External Quality Assessment in Clinical Chemistry
EQA in clinical chemistry: CAP, RIQAS, Bio-Rad, INSTAND and Labquality programs, analyzer compatibility, z-score and SDI interpretation, and practical tips.
External Quality Assessment in Hematology
EQA programs for CBC, WBC differential, reticulocytes and blood morphology: CAP, RIQAS, Bio-Rad, INSTAND, UK NEQAS, analyzer compatibility and corrective actions.
External Quality Assessment in Microbiology
EQA in microbiology: CAP, UK NEQAS, INSTAND, QCMD and Labquality programs for bacterial identification, AST, blood cultures, mycology and molecular detection.
External Quality Assessment in Immunochemistry and Cardiac Markers
EQA for immunoassays: hs-troponin, NT-proBNP, hormones and tumor markers. CAP, RIQAS, Bio-Rad, INSTAND and UK NEQAS programs and harmonization tips.
External Quality Assessment in Molecular Diagnostics
EQA programs from QCMD, EMQN, CAP, INSTAND and GenQA for PCR, NGS and genetic testing, with platform compatibility and practical advice for molecular labs.
External Quality Assessment in Coagulation
EQA programs for coagulation testing: PT/INR, aPTT, D-dimer, clotting factors and anticoagulant monitoring, with providers, peer grouping and practical tips.
External Quality Assessment for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
External quality assessment for POCT: EQA programs for blood gases, cardiac markers, glucose meters and INR, plus device compatibility and ISO 15189 requirements.
External Quality Assessment in Histopathology and IHC
EQA in histopathology and IHC: NordiQC, UK NEQAS, CAP and ESP programs, the NordiQC scoring scale, equipment compatibility and practical advice for pathology labs.
Integrating and Digitalizing External Quality Assessment
From fragmented programs to one system: how Unity, RIQAS and LIS integration digitalize EQA management and prepare labs for ISO 15189 accreditation.
Digital Pathology Systems: A New Era in Morphological Diagnostics
A comprehensive overview of digital pathology: WSI slide scanners, image management systems (IMS) and PathoZoom® Digital Lab by Smart In Media.
AI-Based Diagnostic Tools
An overview of CE-IVD and FDA-cleared AI tools for pathology, including Paige, Ibex Galen, Aiforia and DeepDx, and how they integrate into lab workflows.
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
An overview of LIMS platforms such as Dedalus GLIMS, LabWare and Epic Beaker AP: core functions, analyzer interfaces, QC, integration and benefits.
Image Analysis Software in Pathology
How image analysis software in digital pathology quantifies IHC biomarkers, performs morphometry and tissue segmentation, and which leading platforms labs use.
Telepathology: Remote Diagnostics Without Borders
WSI-based telepathology for frozen sections, second opinions and tumor boards: types, clinical use cases, technical and regulatory requirements, and ROI.
PACS/DICOM Integration for CT, MRI and Mammography
PACS architecture and DICOM integration for CT, MRI and mammography, including convergence with digital pathology and connection to the LIS and HIS.
Quality Control Software in Pathology
Quality control software for clinical and pathology labs: Westgard rules, sigma metrics, HistoQC for WSI scans and Bio-Rad Unity Real Time for QC monitoring.
Workflow Optimization in the Pathology Laboratory
Workflow optimization tools for pathology labs: automated case routing, shorter turnaround time (TAT), workload balancing and KPI dashboards.
Data Management and Reporting in Laboratory Diagnostics
How data warehouses, BI dashboards, report generators and big data analytics help clinical laboratories and pathology departments make better decisions.
Analytical Methods in Clinical Chemistry: A Complete Overview
An overview of 12 key analytical methods in clinical chemistry, from HPLC, LC-MS/MS and UV-Vis photometry to immunoassays, electrochemistry and ICP-MS.
Flow Cytometry in Clinical Diagnostics
Flow cytometry principles, immunophenotyping, uses in hematology, immunology and cell therapy, and what to look for when choosing a flow cytometer.
Coagulometry and Hemostasis Testing
Coagulometry methods explained: clotting, chromogenic and immunoturbidimetric assays, PT/INR, aPTT and D-dimer, and how to choose a coagulation analyzer.
Immunoturbidimetry and Nephelometry: Protein Analysis
Principles of immunoturbidimetry and nephelometry for quantifying specific proteins such as CRP, immunoglobulins and complement, plus analyzer selection.
Electrochemical Methods and Ion-Selective Electrodes
Potentiometry, amperometry and ion-selective electrodes (ISE) in clinical chemistry: how electrolytes, blood gases and glucose are measured electrochemically.
Immunoassays: ELISA, CLIA and Ligand-Binding Methods
Immunoassay methods explained: ELISA, chemiluminescent (CLIA) and electrochemiluminescent assays for hormones, tumor markers and infections.
ICP-MS: Mass Spectrometry and Trace Element Analysis
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for trace elements and heavy metals in biological samples: principle, ICP-OES comparison and clinical uses.