Human tissue samples play a vital role in research and clinical settings. They offer insight into the structure, biological functions, and abnormalities of various organs and tissues. However, it is essential to understand the differences between normal, malignant, and disease-state human tissue samples to use them effectively.
In this blog, we will discuss what human tissue samples are used for and how to differentiate between these types of tissue samples.
What is Human Tissue?
Human tissue is a group of similar cells functioning together to perform specific functions in the body. Tissue samples can be obtained during surgery, biopsy, or post-mortem examination.
Researchers and healthcare professionals use these samples to learn about the structure, function, and response of normal and diseased tissues and organs. Here are the 3 types of human tissue samples that are regularly available at biobanks:
Normal Human Tissue
The tissue samples obtained from a healthy individual are known as normal tissue samples, and they are used as a benchmark to compare the structure and function of the sample from a patient with a disease or malignancy. These normal cells are characterized by their regular size, shape, and uniformity.
Malignant Human Tissue
On the other hand, malignant cells are made up of mutated cells that grow and divide uncontrollably. They do not perform their normal functions and can invade neighboring tissues and spread throughout the body.
Malignant tissue samples are obtained from tumors and cancerous growths and are characterized by the rapid division of the cells, the presence of atypical cell shape and size, and irregular organ structure.
Disease-state Human Tissue
In comparison, disease-state human tissue samples are collected from patients with non-cancerous diseases, infections, and autoimmune conditions. The tissue samples obtained show gross changes in architecture, functionality, and cellular arrangements.
Research on these samples can provide key understandings about the molecular pathways of these diseases. The pathological changes in tissue samples can be used to elucidate the root cause and help develop new treatments.
How is Each Type of Tissue Used?
Differentiating between normal, malignant, and disease-state human tissue samples is crucial because they require different handling, analysis, and interpretation. Pathologists and researchers use different techniques to process tissue samples depending on the type of tissue, the purpose, and the diagnosis.
For instance, normal tissue samples may require careful exclusion of any contamination with cancerous cells, while malignant tissue samples need to be processed to evaluate specific mutations.
Use These Human Tissue Samples for Your Scientific Discoveries
In summary, human tissue samples play a critical role in research and clinical settings. Differentiating between normal, malignant, and disease-state human tissue samples is essential to their correct handling, analysis, and interpretation. The unique features of normal, malignant, and disease-state tissue samples form the basics of pathology.
Detailed pathological examination of these samples can provide essential insight into the mechanisms of diseases, the development of new treatments, and personalized medicine. Therefore, histopathology research and quality assurance strategies must prioritize understanding the differences between human tissue samples.