BioneXt LAB Our areas of expertise

BioneXt LAB relies on experienced staff and a state-of-the-art technical platform to offer an extensive catalogue of routine and specialist analyses.

While we carry out almost all the analyses entrusted to us, some rare analyses are sent to specialist laboratory partners. We also carry out numerous examinations for other laboratories, including hospital labs.

Fertility

Spermology is used to study male fertility. In men, the key examination is the spermogram, which evaluates the number and quality of spermatozoa in order to determine if medically assisted reproduction (MAR) should be considered. The BioneXt Lab Laboratory also provides semen preparations for intra-conjugal intrauterine insemination.

Immunopathology

There are numerous autoimmune diseases that can affect the various organs of the human body (liver, kidney, joints, nervous system, endocrine glands, etc.) that can be diagnosed by the detection of auto-antibodies. Detecting auto-antibodies in the early stages of an autoimmune disease allows immediate treatment to be initiated and irreversible damage to be avoided. The Department of Immunopathology, headed by Prof. René-Louis Humbel, is at the forefront in detecting auto-antibodies in a hundred diseases, with a strong speciality in neurological conditions.

Haematology & Bacteriology

Haematology

Haematology is the study of blood, lymph and the haematopoietic organs that produce them: bone marrow, lymph nodes, the spleen, tonsils, and glands specific to the digestive tract. BioneXt Lab's analyses include, among others, red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts, as well as blood haemoglobin measurements. The BioneXt Lab Laboratory is equipped with an automated microscope for review of blood smears and the identification of pathological cells.

Haemostasis

Haemostasis refers to the set of biological mechanisms contributing to the cessation of haemorrhages, and to the maintenance of the fluidity of the blood in the blood vessels. Analyses in haemostasis focus on determining the time it takes for coagulation to occur involving various factors and the identification of risks of haemorrhaging or thrombosis. BioneXt Lab carries out biological monitoring of patients under anticoagulant treatment.

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. BioneXt Lab performs all the most common bacteriology tests along with many specialist tests using highly specialist equipment, including mass spectrometry for identifying bacteria, and standardised antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

The department also has a mycology and parasitology unit.

Chemistry & Serology

Biochemistry

Clinical biochemistry concerns the analysis of molecules contained in bodily fluids (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, etc.).

The medical biologist specialising in clinical biochemistry works with the clinician to interpret the results according to the patient's overall biological status, taking into account physiological characteristics (age, sex, weight etc.) and the symptoms identified by the clinician, with the aim of diagnosing the pathology, if necessary calling upon additional tests.

Hormonology

Hormonology is a branch of clinical biochemistry that focuses on hormonal physiology and endocrine disorders.

Our department of hormonology is particularly interested in gynaecological hormones such as HCG, progesterone and oestradiol, in the context of fertility assessments. BioneXt Lab performs tests to detect abnormalities in the thyroid, adrenal, hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Serology

Diagnostic serology is the discipline that identifies antibodies specific to a disease. The pathology may be of viral, bacterial or parasitic origin. Hepatitis, toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, herpes virus infections and sexually transmitted infections are identified by this technique. When serology tests are positive, it means that the individual has been exposed to the infection in question, hence the term "HIV-positive," for example. This terminology is not just used for HIV exposure, but is common for all infections.

Molecular biology

Molecular biology encompasses all the techniques that permit the analysis of DNA and the RNA, the "media" of genetic information. The nucleic structures proper to each species have numerous applications in human health:

Detection of pathogens in infections (presence of bacteria, viruses and yeasts)
Identification of anti-biotic resistant mechanisms
Quantification of blood virus load (viraemia for HIV or hepatitis)
Detection of cancer cells and quantification of residual disease