The goal of the Scientific Division (SD) of the IFCC is to advance the science of Clinical Chemistry and its application to the practice of Clinical Laboratory Medicine. To further this goal, the SD seeks to identify scientific problems in current practice and to provide solutions and guidelines on how to overcome these. This is achieved by identifying technical innovations and diagnostic strategies of relevance to Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and assisting the transfer of these to the profession. In particular, the SD promotes the standardization of laboratory tests through the development of reference systems, or harmonization activities where this is not possible at present. An additional role is to establish standards for scientific and technical aspects of good laboratory practice. The SD also seeks to respond to the scientific and technical needs of IFCC Member Societies, IFCC Corporate Members and external agencies, and participates actively in the scientific programs of IFCC congresses and other scientific meetings.

The SD initiates and manages projects with its own resources or through its Committees (C) and Working Groups (WG). Work is conducted in cooperation with other IFCC units and with relevant National and International Organisations. The SD ensures that each of its C/WGs functions under clear terms of reference together with an agreed schedule of activity. The SD assists in the development of project proposals, maintains oversight of the work carried out by C/WGs, undertakes an annual review of progress, and reviews and approves any documents that result from the work.

The SD committees are theme orientated, and typically carry out a range of projects in an area of particular importance to the laboratory medicine community. Working Groups are task orientated, and focus on a single goal or closely related set of goals that can usually be achieved in a limited timescale. The SD currently coordinates the activities of eight Cs and fourteen WGs (for more details, see IFCC web site:
http://www.ifcc.org/index.asp?cat=Publications&scat=Hand_Book&rif=6&dove=1

Proposals for new C/WGs often originate from within the SD, but it is also possible for a new group to be proposed to the SD by any member of an IFCC affiliated organisation. The best initial approach is to discuss an idea with the SD Chair or one of the Members of the SD Executive, and then to prepare a formal proposal that will be considered at the next SD meeting. Current C/WG activities cover much of laboratory medicine, and it is only possible to review some of the most important issues here. Further details can be obtained on the SD web pages.

The Committee on Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU) maintains a generic database of properties and units which can be accessed via the IFCC website. Current activity is focused on the possibility of linking the NPU database to the SNOMED-CT electronic health record project, a systematically organized computer processable collection covering all medical terminology which is increasingly used to underpin electronic organization of healthcare information in many countries. The Committee on Molecular Diagnostics (C-MD) has recently established networks of seven IFCC Expert Molecular Diagnostics Centers and four IFCC Member Laboratories covering a range of clinically relevant areas in molecular diagnostics. Applications from further interested laboratories will be invited on an ongoing basis. In addition, C-MD is liaises with other international laboratory organizations and with regulatory authorities to promote standardization in molecular diagnostic testing.

The Committee on Plasma Proteins (C-PP) is currently carrying out work on the development of new reference materials for protein analysis - in particular, work has focused on solving technical issues with assigning values for CRP, C4 and ceruloplasmin. The C-PP is closely monitoring emerging technologies in the field of proteomics with a view to producing guidance on standardization and clinical utility of these methodologies at an appropriate stage. This work involves liaison with the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO). The Committee on Standarisation of Markers of Cardiac Damage (C-SMCD) (a joint initiative between the IFCC and the American Association for Clinical Chemistry) has a broad remit to produce analytical and clinical recommendations pertaining to standardization and evaluation of available biomarker assays. A particular recent focus has been the potential for cross-reactivity in B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NP) assays. Experimental work has been conducted to evaluate BNP, proBNP and NT-proBNP antigens from multiple commercial sources for cross-reactivity in commercial and experimental assays, and the final results of this work will be reported in the coming year. The Committee on Reference Systems of Enzymes (C-RSE) performs a similar role for enzyme assays. Currently, certification of an AST reference Material is being undertaken in conjunction with The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM). In addition, a Standard Operating Procedure for an Alkaline Phosphatase reference method is being prepared for publication, and work has commenced on establishing provisional reference intervals in cooperation with the Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL). C-RIDL has also published a systematic review of creatinine reference interval, including data describing pediatric age-adjusted reference intervals, and is working jointly in collaboration with the CLSI to review guidelines for establishing reference intervals. The Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (C-TLM) continues to organize IFCC ring trials for reference laboratories, an essential activity for maintaining a number of reference systems. The Committee on Point of Care Testing (C-POCT) is contributing to the development of international standards for POCT, and is currently working on Quality Control of glucose testing in different health care settings. A workshop and a roundtable to promote these activities were organized at this year�s AACC meeting.

While the tasks of all of the WGs are important, the work of three in particular will be highlighted here. The activities of the WG on Standardization of HbA2 (WG-HbA2) are important for the diagnosis of thalassaemia. A candidate reference method procedure has been developed, but it has become clear that some further work is required to optimise this. In addition, a pilot batch of a secondary reference material is undergoing lyophilization at IRMM and will be available for distribution by the end of 2008. The Working Group on the standardization of Insulin Assays (WG-SIA), jointly established with the American Diabetes Association, has made good progress towards the development of a candidate reference method for insulin analysis. A comparison of commercially available insulin assays has been made, with a range of calibration options, and this should result in recommendations for harmonisation of insulin assays that can be adopted by manufacturers. A new working group on Standardization of Troponin-I (WG-TnI) has been established this year. Variability in TnI assays is a considerable clinical problem, and the WG will explore ways to reduce this. WG-TnI is working with NIST to undertake fundamental studies on available cTnI antigen-antibodies, the aim being to identify antibodies to a stable part of the cTnI molecule that will provide a suitable combination for an ELISA assay.

As can be seen, the work of the SD stretches across the full remit of Clinical Chemistry, and seeks to address the issues of greatest importance to the profession, laboratory users and patients. Members of the SD are always happy to discuss ongoing or future projects with interested parties, and suggestions as to other areas that the SD might address in the future are welcome.