The Science
Methods and instrumentation
Clinicore runs two distinct kinds of assay, and the site says which is which on every test page. The contrast is the argument: a laboratory that uses a cleared assay where a good one exists, and develops its own where the question demands it, is describing engineering judgment rather than novelty for its own sake.
Laboratory-developed methods
Validated in house, reviewed and approved by the Medical Director before patient testing. Results are method-specific and are not directly comparable with another laboratory's — which is the point of them.
- LC-MS/MS — steroid panel Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry 20 analytes
- qPCR — CORE-ABR molecular panel Real-time polymerase chain reaction 0 analytes
- LC-MS/MS — definitive toxicology Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry 65 analytes
FDA-cleared or FDA-approved assays
Run per the manufacturer's instructions for use. Specimen type, tube and measuring range follow the package insert, and results are broadly comparable with other laboratories running cleared assays.
- Automated chemical analyzer Photometric / potentiometric clinical chemistry 32 analytes
- Automated immunoassay Antibody-based, chemiluminescent or equivalent 29 analytes
- Automated hematology analyzer Impedance / flow cytometry 3 analytes