The below Abstracts will be presented within the conference program.
Enhancing an autologous cell suspension system with peptide amphiphiles to improve scarring outcomes
Beatriz Da Silva Campos
Burn injuries are among the most prevalent types of trauma, ranking as the fourth most common injury worldwide. The gold standard treatment for full-thickness burns is an autologous split-thickness skin graft (STSG); however, this is not always feasible. An alternative is an autologous cell suspension processing system that converts a small skin sample into a cellular suspension, which is applied intraoperatively. Despite its advantages, scarring remains a clinical concern. Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are versatile biomaterials that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and self-assemble into matrices mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM). PAs can be functionalised with bioactive peptides to promote tissue repair.
The wound environment into which the autologous cell suspension is applied may contribute to scarring. We hypothesise that incorporating PAs into the autologous cell suspension improves healing by providing an ECM-like scaffold and activating regenerative pathways.
We evaluated the effects of PAs on cells in vitro using proliferation, migration, collagen production, and LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity assays. The effects of PAs were further assessed in vivo using a porcine excision wound model at both short-term (1 week post-injury) and long-term (2 months) timepoints. Excised tissues were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and sectioned for histological analysis. Morphological changes were assessed in a blinded manner using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, while collagen deposition and organisation were evaluated using PicroSirius Red (PSR) under brightfield and polarised light microscopy. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess key features of regeneration, including CD31 and αSMA for vascularisation and vessel maturity, and cytokeratin 15 for basal keratinocyte distribution and epidermal regeneration.
Initial results indicate the studied PAs do not negatively affect cell proliferation and may result in enhanced wound healing. Notably, in vivo, the PAs remain present after one week but are no longer detectable after two months. Functionalisation with QHREDGS appears to confer additional benefits compared to the non-functionalised control, such as through the regeneration of rete ridge-like structures.
Initial results indicate that the studied PAs do not impair cell proliferation in vitro. In vivo, PAs were detectable within the wound bed at 1-week post-injury but were no longer observed at 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, histological analysis demonstrated improved epidermal architecture in PA-treated wounds, with QHREDGS-functionalised PAs promoting the reformation of rete ridge-like structures. However, assessment of vascularisation (CD31 and αSMA) and collagen organisation (PicroSirius Red) revealed comparable outcomes to autologous cell suspension-treated controls.
The role of colostrum in skin development
Savannah Machado
Infant skin is still developing during the first 2 years of life, making newborns vulnerable to infections and allergies. Diet plays a major role in priming skin development. Colostrum is the first milk produced as food for newborns during the first 3 days. It is extremely rich in bio-active components such as growth factors, vitamin-A, antibodies, and microbiota shaping molecules, suggesting a role in imprinting healthy development. However, the knowledge on the role of colostrum in skin development is limited. Preliminary data shows that mice deprived of colostrum have macroscopic skin abnormalities including dry scaly/flaky skin and delayed hair growth. . Hence, we hypothesise that colostrum intake at birth is crucial to ensure healthy skin development.
Aim: To determine the role of colostrum in skin development
Skin development will be compared in colostrum-deprived mice (nursed from birth by dams at an advanced stage of lactation) with control mice. Skin tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and masson's trichrome will be analysed at different time points in both groups.
Histological analysis indicates that at 2 weeks of age, colostrum-deprived demonstrates structural alterations, including increased epidermal thickness and hyperplasia of sebaceous glands in colostrum-deprived mice compared to controls.
Globally, 1/3 newborns don’t receive the full dose of colostrum. This project will provide evidence for a causal role of colostrum in healthy skin development. It may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic compounds to treat newborns at high risk of skin diseases.
Airway inflammation in patients with and without an airway smooth muscle remodelling phenotype
Lana Urbina
Asthma is a chronic obstructive respiratory condition that affects one in ten people globally. In patients diagnosed with asthma, airways narrow excessively to contractile stimuli, leading to difficulty in breathing and sometimes death. Structural changes to the airway wall (‘remodelling’) includes a heterogeneously distributed thickened airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer that is linked to disease severity. Inflammation is also a prominent feature of asthma contributing to onset of symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether pathologies of ASM remodelling, and inflammation share a spatio-temporal relationship and whether non-remodelled asthmatic cases were more likely
Proximal human airway tissue was obtained from the Airway Biobank where fatal asthma cases were a priori classified as having a ‘remodelled’ (n=6) or ‘non-remodelled’ (n=6) ASM phenotype. Airway tissue from a third group with no history of asthma, classified as control (n=6), was also obtained from the Airway Biobank. Airway tissue fixed in either formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, was processed histologically, sectioned (5µm) and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The newCAST stereological system was used to measure areas of ASM and inner airway wall using epithelial basement membrane perimeter as an index of size. Inflammatory cell counts within the inner airway wall were performed separately at high magnification and normalised to wall area.
Inflammation was increased in cases with a non-remodelled phenotype compared with controls (p=0.04). Although inflammation was also present in cases with a remodelled phenotype, this was not statistically different from the control cases (p=0.08). Remodelled cases had increased ASM thickness (p=0.0004). Spatial correlation analysis of fatal asthma cases showed no spatial relationship between ASM and inflammation (p=0.26, r=0.10).
Findings suggest that fatal asthma cases without a remodelling phenotype have prominent inflammation. Lack of a spatio-temporal relationship between inflammation and ASM thickness questions the assertion of causation between these pathologies. These results support the development of therapies which independently target ASM remodelling as well as inflammation.
Automated Cassette Collection and Stacking System to Improve Histology Laboratory Workflow
Shalitha Amarasinghe
In histology laboratories, embedding cassettes printed from automated cassette printers are usually collected and reordered manually by laboratory staff. This becomes difficult in large and complex specimens. Some cases require more than 50 blocks for a single specimen. This increases repetitive manual handling and increases the risk of cassette mis-ordering during busy hours.
To design and evaluate a compact automated system that can collect, align, and stack printed histology embedding cassettes in sequential order directly from the cassette printer output.
A low-cost prototype automated cassette handling device was developed using a microcontroller-based system. The system includes a servo-assisted lifting mechanism and a belt driven linear transfer slider. An infrared sensor placed at the printer exit detects cassette ejection and starts the transfer sequence. After a short time delay, the servo lifts and guides the cassette into a transfer pathway. The cassette is then moved into a removable stacking hopper using a motorised slider. A limit switch provides a repeatable homing function of the slider and ensures reliable positioning in every cycle. Multiple interchangeable hoppers allow continuous stacking without any interruptions to the process.
The system successfully collected and stacked cassettes in sequential order. The average cycle time was approximately six seconds per cassette (which is around 600 cassettes per hour). The removable hopper design allowed completed batches to be transferred directly to the cut-up area while maintaining cassette order. This reduced manual handling, especially in high-block specimens, and improved workflow continuity.
This low-cost automation solution provides a practical method to improve histology laboratory workflow, particularly for large specimens requiring a higher number of cassettes. The system reduces repetitive manual handling, maintains order, and offers a scalable solution for laboratory processes optimisation.
Phenomics Australia Histopathology Service: Refining the Swiss Roll to Preserve Intestinal Architecture.
Emily Gracie
The Phenomics Australia Histopathology and Slide Scanning Service, based at the University of Melbourne provides systematic necropsy and histopathology services to biomedical researchers across Australia for the evaluation and phenotyping of modified, treated or genetically engineered mice at all developmental stages. Our protocols are designed to optimise visualisation of delicate structures in the mouse.
Poor harvesting and handling of the mouse gut will result in suboptimal micromorphology and therefore limit the evaluation. Here we describe a refined Swiss roll method for the mouse gastrointestinal tract.
The Swiss roll method is a widely used technique for histological evaluation of the mouse intestine, allowing multiple regions to be assessed in a single section. Conventional approaches require and flushing the lumen and opening the intestines. This can damage delicate structures such as villi, goblet cells, and Peyer’s patches, making detailed morphological assessment challenging. Our method avoids unnecessary manipulation. This results in accurate and reproducible visualisation of the proximal and distal intestinal architecture with minimal artefact.
By preserving structural integrity, our refined method maintains the continuity of the gastrointestinal narrative and delivers a powerful tool for advancing our work.
Beyond the Surface: Extensive Intraocular Spread of Recurrent Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Enucleated Globe
Feliz Fong
Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is part of the spectrum of ocular surface squamous neoplasia and typically demonstrates local invasion. Recurrence is well recognised, particularly in cases with positive margins, while intraocular extension is rare and usually associated with advanced disease.
We report a case of a patient with a longstanding history of recurrent left limbal conjunctival SCC (2015–2020), ultimately requiring enucleation in 2026 for a non-functioning eye following multiple prior treatment.
Initial assessment in 2015 demonstrated keratinising dysplasia on impression cytology, with histology confirming moderately to well differentiated keratinising invasive SCC involving the limbus and scleral bed, with margin involvement.
Subsequent biopsies between 2017 and 2020 showed recurrent and multifocal disease, including invasive keratinising SCC, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and areas of dysplasia, with intermittent biopsies showing no malignancy. In 2020, there was extensive infiltrative moderately differentiated SCC with persistent margin involvement despite treatment.
Enucleation in 2026 demonstrated extensive invasive conjunctival SCC with deep intraocular extension, involving the cornea (anterior and posterior surfaces), an obliterated anterior chamber, and infiltration of the pars plicata and ciliary body with associated necrosis and pigment clumping. Tumour extended into the anterior vitreous cavity with fibroblastic proliferation. Additional findings included retinal detachment, ganglion cell loss, and optic nerve atrophy.
Conjunctival SCC most commonly arises at the limbus and is associated with a risk of recurrence, particularly in the presence of positive surgical margins and multifocal disease. While intraocular invasion is uncommon, it may occur in advanced or treatment-resistant cases. This case demonstrates a prolonged course of recurrent disease progressing to extensive intraocular extension, with fluctuating histological findings complicating surveillance and management.
This case highlights progressive, recurrent conjunctival SCC culminating in extensive intraocular invasion and ocular destruction, emphasising the importance of long-term follow-up, margin control, and early aggressive management to prevent advanced complications.
The cost of a mix up, whose sample is it anyway"
Dharmesh Suka
Histology has many manual laboured processing steps. We have many checks and tracking events in the laboratory to ensure that errors are not being made.
Unfortunately, in some circumstances mistakes are also made at surgery before the samples arrive in the laboratory.
in our case study we will discuss how we investigated an issue and by further testing led to the correct diagnosis of two patient samples.
Rare anterior mediastinal cholesterol granuloma
Kim Tang
Cholesterol granuloma is a benign entity and usually appear towards the temporal bone. However, cholesterol granuloma in anterior mediastinal is rare and is hard to differentiate between thymic malignant tumours, lymphoma or adenomatous goitre. Hence, histological tests are required to confirm their etiological condition to prevent malignant development.