Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Histology (the analysis of the structure of tissues) uses techniques to thinly section tissues and then apply specific stains to identify the individual tissue components. Several mediums are available to embed the tissue in prior to sectioning; these have been shown to affect the outcome of the applied stains. It is important to utilise the correct embedding techniques to identify certain structures within the tissue such as bone cells, collagen, blood vessels, enzyme activity etc.
The project aims to compare and contrast three different embedding techniques using identical bone samples and to assess their compatibility with various histological stains.
Methods and techniques that will be used/developed in the course of this project:
- Embedding of bone specimens in (1) paraffin wax, (2) methylmethacylate resin and (3) technovit (a commercial resin kit)
- Microtome sectioning of bone specimens
- Optimisation of staining techniques for bone specimens e.g. H&E staining
- Immunohistochemistry - antibody staining for collagen, and other bone-related proteins
- Light Microscopy and photography of stained specimens
- Image analysis to quantify staining
- Comparison of staining success between samples. Which staining methods are better suited to which embedding techniques?
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
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Please contact the supervisor.
Dr Mia Woodruff
Dr Roland Steck
Dr Kerry Manton
