Pathobiology

Course Content:

The module discusses cellular mechanisms of disease. In addition it considers the role of
cellular pathology in the context of other pathology disciplines such as clinical pathology.
Particular emphasis is given to laboratory aspects of cellular injury and their application
in routine diagnosis.

Autumn Semester content summary: Pathogenesis and structural/functional changes
which take place in tissues/organs in diseases.

Spring Semester content summary: Applications of light and electron microscopy in the
diagnosis of disease. Study Histochemical techniques, image analysis, and applications
of cytological methods for population screening and disease diagnosis.

Topics covered may include:
? Pathogenesis of cell injury: Morphological features of cell injury, acute cellular
oedema, fatty change, storage diseases, necrosis and apoptosis. Genetic and
acquired disease, inflammation and cancer.
? Definition of epidemiology, its role in public health, application of basic statistical
methods in epidemiology.
? Review of histological and cytological methods, including sources and types of
specimen, tissue treatments and processing and staining. Applications of light
and electron microscopes in disease diagnosis.
? Histochemistry and immunocytochemistry and its use in diagnostic pathology.
? Image capture, image processing and image analysis techniques and their use in
cellular pathology including quantification and histomorphometry.
? Diagnostic cytopathology - including gynaecological cytology (screening and
disease diagnosis), non-gynaecological cytology, and fine needle aspirates.

Teaching: Lectures, tutorials and laboratory practical sessions

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? 2 hour Exam (60%)
? Practical: Group poster presentation (20%) and a laboratory practical assessment
(20%)
STUDY OPTION 2 or 3:
? Coursework (40%)
? Written exam (60%)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer