Histotechnology Professionals Day

Histotechnology Professionals Day is annually celebrated in March 10^th to honor histotechnologists.

What is Histotechnology?

Histology is the science of detecting tissue abnormalities using a microscope for diagnosis and treatment of disease. The histopathologist can prepare surgical specimens using reagents, chemicals, and dyes, for microscopic examination by the pathologist. Knowledge of this chemical reaction associated with tissue composition, introduces the histopathologist a way to distinguish tissue and cellular structures. The difference in the appearance of these tissue cells under the microscope allows a pathologist to ultimately make a clinical diagnosis and guide treatment options for a patient.

In the modern histology laboratory, immunohistochemistry (IHC), digital and molecular pathology (DNA/RNA) techniques are commonly used to provide accurate tumor identification, enabling Clinicians choose the treatment strategy that offers the highest probability of cure.

Skills of a Histotechnology

A histologist are required a lot of patience, mechanical ability, and knowledge of biology, immunology, molecular biology, anatomy, and chemistry. There are five basic steps that histology must know and each of them is an integral part of the historian's work:

• Grossing & Fixation

Tissue samples taken from routine surgeries, autopsies, or other scientific investigations are examined, described, and cut to the appropriate size. This process is called "sample synthesis". The collecting specimens are preserved by putting them in solutions that are designed to prevent from decomposition. This is called fixation.

• Processing

Remove water from the tissue and replace with molten paraffin wax which will penetrate the tissue and then provide the necessary support when cutting the tissue into small slices. At last, it will eventually be examined under a microscope.

• Embedding

Before cutting the waxed tissue, it is placed in a larger wax block to aid in additional hold during the cutting process.

• Sectioning

The tissue is attached to a delicate instrument called a microtome. To cut the tissue sections embedded in the wax mass, let use a sharp knife. Sections are cut into ribbons one by one, softened by floating on warm water and flatten the tissue sections. These sections are then placed on micro slides and stored for later procedures.

• Staining

The staining causes tissue components to change color when exposed to different chemicals. In addition to the dye, Immunohistochemistry uses antibodies (that are reacted with tissues) to identify the lines of specific tumor cell. This technique is so important that the patient's physician can choose the most effective tumor treatment. DNA probes are also applied to tissue sections to determine the presence of bacterial and viral infections and some tumors. Once the staining is complete, the tissue is ready to be examined under the microscope by a pathologist or other scientific researcher. Without a specialized staining technique, many tissue components would not be visible.

History of Histotechnology Professionals Day

Histotechnology Professionals Day was decided to celebrate by the National Society for Histotechnology since 2010, to raise awareness of the historical technology field, to attract young people interested in the field as a career choice and honoring historic technologists. Various events take place: career fairs are held at colleges and high schools, local governments make statements about the day, historical scientists put on exhibits and give presentations, and an "Art of the Stain" competition was held to honor the combination of art and historic science technology.

Histology is "a science focused on the microscopic detection of tissue abnormalities for the diagnosis and treatment of disease." Using chemicals, dyes, and reagents, histologists prepare surgical specimens for the pathologist to screen and stain the tissue in order that individual organs can be seen and a diagnosis is made. Histotechnology refers to histology, which is the study of human and animal tissues.

How to celebrate Histotechnology Professionals Day

Some ways that can be observed during the day include:

• Host or participate in historic technology career fairs at community colleges and high schools.
• Submit an article to the local media to promote this holiday. Be sure to include any information about events being held.
• You can find resources related to statements, press releases… on the National Historical Technology Association's website.
• Take part in the contest named Art of the Stain.
• Learn more about historical histologists and their work.
• If you're a history researcher, gather with others in the field, set up exhibits, and organize tours of your workplace.
• Check out ongoing events. Share about any celebrations you attend. Posted on Histology Specialist's Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram and on "The Block", a member community of the National Histology Society. Spread and encourage by use hashtags such as #HPD, #HistotechnologyProfessionalsDay, #histotechnology, #histology, #NSH, #histotech, #science and #iheartthisto.
• Join or volunteer with the National Historical Technology Association.