B8796 - Anatomopathological Methods and Pathology of Laboratory Animals

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student understands the principles and applications of immunohistochemistry, as well as fluorescence and chromogenic in situ hybridization; is familiar with the etiopathogenesis and macro- and microscopic morphological patterns; understands the pathogenic mechanisms of the main spontaneous, infectious, and non-infectious diseases of laboratory animals; is able to perform necropsies on laboratory rodents according to international guidelines; and is able to carry out the sampling, fixation, and standard processing of various organs and tissues for cytological and histological microscopic examinations.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course "ANIMAL MODELS".

Upon completion of the course, students will:

• understand the etiopathogenesis and the gross and microscopic morphological features of disease;
• understand the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the major spontaneous, infectious, and non-infectious diseases of laboratory animals;
• be able to perform necropsies on rodents and other laboratory animal species in accordance with international guidelines;
• be able to collect, fix, and process organs and tissues using standard procedures for cytological and histological examination;
• understand the stages and principles of histological tissue processing and histochemical staining techniques;
• understand the principles and applications of immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry (ICC), and both fluorescence and chromogenic in situ hybridization (FISH/CISH).

COURSE-SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES

To facilitate understanding of the course content, students are recommended to have previously acquired knowledge of general pathology.

COURSE CONTENT Module 1 – Barbara Bacci

Lectures (16 hours)

• Basic pathology terminology and principles for the interpretation of gross and microscopic lesions (2 hours)
• Spontaneous pathology of the mouse (6 hours)
• Spontaneous pathology of the rat (4 hours)
• Spontaneous pathology of the rabbit (2 hours)
• Laboratory techniques: theoretical foundations of cytology and histology (1 hour)
• Laboratory techniques: theoretical foundations of immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and in situ hybridization (1 hour)

Module 2 – Giancarlo Avallone

Practical Sessions (16 hours)

• Safety and biosafety procedures for laboratory animal necropsies (1 hour)
• Euthanasia techniques and pre-necropsy assessment (1 hour)
• Mouse necropsy, lesion documentation, and collection of tissues and cells according to standard protocols (8 hours)
• Rat necropsy, lesion documentation, and collection of tissues and cells according to standard protocols (6 hours)

Module 3 – Gianfranco Militerno

Practical Sessions (16 hours)

• Rabbit necropsy, lesion documentation, and collection of tissues and cells according to standard protocols (4 hours)
• Pig necropsy, lesion documentation, and collection of tissues and cells according to standard protocols (6 hours)
• Histological and cytological sampling techniques and tissue cryopreservation (6 hours)

Module 4 – Barbara Brunetti

Practical Sessions (16 hours)

• Cytological, histological, and histochemical staining techniques (3 hours)
• Immunocytochemistry (4 hours)
• Examination of histological slides showing the main spontaneous lesions of laboratory animals (6 hours)
• Observation and interpretation of histological, cytological, and immunocytochemical preparations produced by the students (3 hours)

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale e-learning platform: https://virtuale.unibo.it/ .

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and practical/laboratory sessions.

Module 1 is entirely lecture-based and provides the theoretical foundations required for the practical activities in Module 2.

Modules 2, 3, and 4 are entirely practical and are organized as guided laboratory sessions, including brief introductory briefings and concluding debriefings. The theoretical concepts relevant to these activities will be introduced progressively throughout the practical sessions.

Given the nature of the teaching activities and methods employed, attendance requires successful completion of Modules 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as completion of Module 3 of the mandatory health and safety training for study environments. Information regarding the schedule and attendance procedures for the safety training module is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

For participation in practical and laboratory activities, students are required to wear a laboratory coat and appropriate closed-toe footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the specific activities, such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided.

Assessment methods

Assessment for the course "Anatomical Pathology Techniques and Pathology of Laboratory Animals" consists of two components.

The first component is a written examination consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The examination lasts 60 minutes and includes 30 questions. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the written examination.

The second component is a practical examination, during which students are required to perform part of a necropsy on one of the animal species covered in the course, as well as collect tissue samples for histological and cytological analyses. Students will also be assessed on their correct application of appropriate safety and biosafety procedures. The result is communicated immediately at the end of the practical examination. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass.

During examinations, the use of supporting materials or electronic devices, including calculators, tablets, smartwatches, and computers, is not permitted, except where explicitly authorized by the instructor.

The results of the written examination will be published within five working days on the instructor's Virtuale platform: https://virtuale.unibo.it/ .

Grading Criteria

Student performance is assessed according to the following grading scale:

• 18–22: Knowledge of a very limited number of course topics; analytical ability demonstrated only with the instructor's guidance; generally correct use of terminology.
• 23–26: Knowledge of a limited range of course topics; ability to perform independent analysis only on straightforward procedural issues; correct use of terminology.
• 27–29: Good knowledge of a broad range of course topics; ability to perform independent critical analysis; appropriate command of discipline-specific terminology.
• 30–30 cum laude: Comprehensive knowledge of the course topics; ability to perform independent critical analysis and establish connections between concepts; excellent command of discipline-specific terminology, together with strong reasoning and reflective skills.

The result of the practical examination is communicated immediately upon completion.

The course is considered successfully completed only if both examination components have been passed. The final grade is calculated as the weighted average of the marks obtained in the different examination components and is expressed on a 30-point scale. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required to pass the course.

A failing assessment does not result in a numerical grade but is recorded only as "withdrawn" or "failed" in the AlmaEsami electronic record and therefore does not affect the student's academic transcript.

The grades for the individual examination components, together with the final course grade, will be published on the instructor's Virtuale platform within five working days of the examination date.

Students may decline the final grade by notifying the instructor responsible for recording grades via email within five working days of its publication.

The instructor responsible for recording grades for this course is Barbara Bacci.

Students may register for examination sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Examination dates are scheduled within the periods established in the academic calendar. Additional examination sessions are available for students who are beyond the standard duration of their degree programme (fuori corso).

Students with Disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with temporary or permanent disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti ). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval. The instructor will evaluate the requested accommodations in relation to the course learning outcomes.

Teaching tools

The teaching resources provided for this course include PowerPoint presentations prepared by the instructors, videos, and digital learning materials.

Students experiencing difficulties in understanding the course content are encouraged to arrange an appointment with the instructor via email for an individual clarification session.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Bacci

See the website of Giancarlo Avallone

See the website of Gianfranco Militerno

See the website of Barbara Brunetti