出版社：Association of College and University Biology Educators
摘要：Histotechnology is commonly used in medical research, pathological testing, and pharmaceutical development. We designed a three-week, inquiry-based laboratory module that helps prepare students for biomedical careers by teaching them tissue sampling, processing, and imaging. Rats were treated with streptozotocin (a known diabetogen) while control rats were injected with buffer solution. Rats were sacrificed one week following treatment. Pre- and post-injection weights were compared and blood samples were collected for glucose analysis and insulin determinations using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pancreatic tissue was collected, preserved in Bouins fixative, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned using a microtome. Students then performed hematoxylin/phloxine staining. The number of islet beta cells were compared between control and treated rats. Blood glucose measurements demonstrated that treated rats had significantly higher blood glucose levels and lower beta cells numbers, while the ELISA tests indicated that treated rats had lower blood insulin concentrations. Following this module, students presented an individual poster with images and quantitative data analyses that included insulin concentrations, blood glucose levels, and histological images of pancreatic islets, in addition to beta cell quantification. Overall, students gained hands-on experience with hypothesis testing and an understanding of the pathology of diabetes.
