Inventions in Medical Laboratory History

Study Notes

1660: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope, earning the title "Father of Microbiology".
1796: Edward Jenner discovered vaccination, establishing immunity to smallpox.
1835: Marie Francois Xavier Bichat, known as the "Father of Histology", identified organs through their tissue types.
1857: Louis Pasteur successfully produced immunity to rabies.
1866: Gregor Mendel formulated the Law of Inherited Characteristics in plants.
1870: Joseph Lister, recognized as the "Father of Antiseptic Surgery", identified that surgical infections stem from airborne organisms.
1886: Elie Metchnikoff described phagocytes in blood and their role in combating infections.
1902: Karl Landsteiner developed the ABO blood group system.
1906: August von Wassermann created immunologic tests for syphilis.
1929: Hans Fischer determined the structure of hemoglobin.
1954: Jonas Salk developed the vaccine for poliomyelitis.
1973: James Westgard introduced Westgard Rules for quality control in clinical laboratories.
1980: Baruch Samuel Blumberg developed the Hepatitis B vaccine.
1985: Kary Mullis conceptualized Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
1992: Andrei van Steirtegem pioneered intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF).
1998: James Thomson established the first human stem cell line.

Perform Clinical Laboratory Testing: Medical technologists conduct a range of laboratory tests, from basic to advanced, ensuring competency in diverse procedures such as urinalysis, hematology, microbiology, and serology.
Conduct Special Procedures: Involves operating advanced diagnostic apparatus and performing molecular and nuclear diagnostics.
Ensure Accuracy and Precision: Accuracy is vital as it influences the physician’s interpretation of results, affecting treatment decisions.
Uphold Honesty in Practice: Honesty in test procedures is essential for achieving accurate and precise laboratory results.
Deliver Results Timely: Understanding the urgency of lab results is crucial, particularly in emergency cases requiring immediate treatment.
Demonstrate Professionalism: Medical technologists must adhere to the professional Code of Ethics and standards governing practice, such as the Philippine Medical Technology Act (R.A. 5527) and regulations from organizations like PAMET and PASMETH.