Medical laboratory scientist: a new partner in biomarker research

Previously, biomarker research and development
was performed by laboratory technicians
working as craftsmen in laboratories
under the guidance of medical doctors. This
hierarchical
structure based on professional
boundaries appears to be outdated if we
want to keep up with the high performance
of our healthcare system, and take advantage
of the vast potential of future biomarkers
and personalized medicine. We ask the
question; does our healthcare system benefit
from giving the modern medical laboratory
scientist (MLS) a stronger academic training
in biomarker research, development and
application? The current MLS education has
now moved far away from the former technician’s
apprenticeship, and the Danish MLS
bachelor educational program is focusing
strongly on teaching research skills related
to biomarker development and personalized
medicine. Do MLS graduates have anything
different to offer biomarker research compared
with other academic professions? Will
the new graduates possess sufficient research
skills? It may be hard to be ‘the new boy in
class’ in a competitive research environment;
however, by reinforcing the educational
program, the MLS may become important
partners in biomarker research. Here we
provide our opinions from the MLS college
educational program based in Denmark, but
other countries undergo similar changes and
the viewpoints shared here are relevant for
discussions internationally.