This is a beginner’s level course that focuses on equipping researchers and laboratory scientists/technologists with essential pathology lab techniques and basic histology skills in the field of medical and health science. It provides an understanding of the types of tissues on which research testing can be applied, and introduces participants to basic morphology of different tissue types in the human body, including normal and cancerous tissues. The course comprises of two broad sections:

1. Laboratory techniques in tissue-based research

Participants will be introduced to some basic forms of tissue that the pathology laboratory handles, and how these tissues may be processed for microscopic analysis, immunohistochemical analysis and molecular testing.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the different types of tissue samples handled in a histopathology lab
• Appreciate the spectrum of types of tests on tissue to detect proteins and nucleic acid
• Learn the workflow of tissue processing into formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue
• Learn the workflow of immunohistochemical testing and fluorescence in situ hybridisation
• Learn more about tissue- based molecular testing (next-generation-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics)
• Learn about regulations governing the use of tissue samples for research

2. Histology (Microscopy) of normal tissues and common cancers

Participants will be introduced to a range of normal tissues, including epithelial and connective tissue, and also inflammatory cells (leukocytes) and some common cancers. Participants will be given the opportunity to perform hands on virtual microscopy using virtual microscopic slides, and try their hand and recognising tissue types and cancers.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to recognise normal histology of different tissue types (e.g. epithelial tissue, mesenchymal tissue)
• Learn how to recognise inflammatory cells in tissue
• Recognise normal histology of a range of organs
• Recognise histology of selected common cancers
• Learn how to perform hands-on examination of pathology microscopic slides using virtual microscopy

Upon successful registration, the Department of Pathology team will contact you regarding your access to the asynchronous lectures as well as details of the online synchronous session and face-to-face hands-on lab techniques.