“Nondestructive 3D pathology with open-top light-sheet microscopy for precision medicine”

The diagnostic gold standard of histology relies upon analog technologies that have changed little over the past century. These dated techniques contribute to large inter-pathologist variability, poor prognostication/prediction of tumor behavior in individual patients, and consequently, treatment that is often not optimized for an individual’s particular malignancy.

We believe that in order to catalyze a digital pathology transformation, a technological approach is needed that offers significant advantages over traditional histopathology in terms of simplicity/cost, speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness of sampling, and superior sample preservation (including nucleic acids).

Towards this end, we have developed an “open-top” light-sheet (OTLS) microscopy platform for rapid slide-free 3D pathology of surgical and biopsy specimens [Glaser et al, Nat. Biomed. Eng., 2017]. Our most-recent efforts have focused on optimizing a suite of technologies to demonstrate the feasibility of 3D OTLS microscopy to visualize structural and molecular biomarkers within large numbers of core-needle biopsies in toto, and ultimately to better predict patient outcomes (indolent vs. aggressive disease).

These nondestructive and comprehensive digital pathology methods are synergistic with the rapidly growing fields of genomics and machine learning, which collectively have the potential to significantly improve patient prognostication and treatment stratification.

Dr. Jonathan Liu will present his work mentioned above, at Pathology Horizons 2019 in Queenstown New Zealand on 8th- 10th August. Dr. Liu is the Bryan McMinn endowed associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Washington, with an adjunct appointment in the department of pathology.
His work has been funded by the NIH (NCI, NIDCR, NIBIB), NSF, Department of Defense and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Liu’s molecular biophotonics laboratory develops optical strategies for improving the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Read more..

Pathology Horizons

Pathology Horizons is an annual and open CPD conference organised by Cirdan to discuss what developments lie ahead in Pathology and what we can do to prepare or take advantage of these. This unique event provides an opportunity to learn about new technologies, procedural developments and lines of research that are driving the future of pathology. You will hear about the possible pros and cons of these developments, how people in supporting disciplines should be preparing for and perhaps directing these changes and their potential impact on the daily work of a pathologist. It also provides the opportunity to contribute your ideas, interact with innovators from around the world, expand your knowledge and make some new contacts- all within a relaxed and beautiful setting!C

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Registration for Pathology Horizons 2019 is officially open. With less than 5 months to go and preparation well underway, we are getting very excited for what will be the 5th Pathology Horizons conference organised and hosted by Cirdan.

We promise an impressive programme covering a wide range of groundbreaking topics from a panel of international industry experts. Here’s a selection of just some of the topics you can expect to hear about: