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Other qualifications; Instructor for Red Cross Society, Swimming pool managers Certificate, a member of the International Society for Plastination.

Other interests; swimming, squash, films.

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Articles (Published)

Whittaker G., Fyfe G. :Student Participation in Plastination as a Learning Exercise in a Science Degree Embryology Unit. J Int Soc Plastination, 13 (1), 26-29, 1998.

Posters

Whittaker G. "Anatomy without Tears" - Plastinated Specimens in Human Biology. The Australasian Society for Human Biology Conference. 4-8th Dec.1994. Perth Australia.

Oral Presentations

Whittaker G. "Plastination in Teaching Anatomy" Australian Optometrical Association Conference, 25-26th Dec. 1995 Perth, Australia

Whittaker G., Fyfe G., "Student Participation in Plastination as a Learning Exercise in a Science Degree Embryology Unit. " 8th International Conference on Plastination, 14-19^th July 1996 Brisbane, Australia.

Whittaker G. "Alternative Preservation Techniques for Anatomical Specimens." 16th Annual Convention of the Philippine Society of Anatomists. Guest Speaker 13th Dec. 1997 Manila, Philippines.: "

Local Radio 6NR - "Science at Curtin" - Plastination.

10min intereview, April, 1998.

Whittaker G. "Plastination- A Unique way to Preserve Anatomical Specimens." Australian Red Cross Instructors Workshop. June 1998 Perth Australia.

Abstracts

Fyfe G.M., Fyfe S.D., Donovan J.,Whittaker G., Strack R., Doornbusch M.1998 Walking the tightrope of collaborative learning with first year undergraduates. 2nd National First Year Experience Conference Mandurah,1998, 21.

Whittaker G., Fyfe G. 1995 Student Participation in Plastination as a Learning Exercise in a Science Degree Embryology Unit. J Int Soc Plastination, 11 (1) 1996, 14.

Barton J., Whittaker G., Jordan S. 1996 Trabeculae in the Nasal Cavity of the Quokka(Sentonix brachyurus). 7th Annual Combined Biological Sciences Meeting. Perth 1996, P14

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"ANATOMY WITHOUT TEARS ": PLASTINATED SPECIMENS IN HUMAN BIOLOGY

G. R. WHITTAKER, Curtin University of Technology,Perth, Western Australia, 6001

Plastination is a method used for the preservation of perishable biological specimens, especially for soft, putrifiable organs with a high water content eg. brain, heart, liver, muscle, joint specimens and body slices. Plants, insects and animals can also be plastinated. Specimens preserved in this manner are permanent, clean, non-toxic, dry and allow the study of the anatomical function, textures and other properties of the tissue which are lost with typical preservation techniques. It also allows the handling and examination of the specimens without the burden of gloves and toxic fumes eg formalin, phenol etc.

During the plastination process the tissue water and lipid is replaced by a curable polymer. The optical qualities (opaque or transparent) as well as the mechanical properties (flexible or firm) depend on the type of polymer used. Over the past three years a fully operational plastination laboratory has been setup in the Department of Human Biology at Curtin University and is currently producing plastinated specimens which will be utilized in the undergraduate program. The plastination procedure and equipment required will be outlined.

The end product will be an anatomical specimen practically indistinguishable from the original. The plastinated specimen is easy to handle, more robust, chemical free and can be easily stored. Plastinated specimens have a unique position as teaching aids having the durability of anatomical models but exhibiting accurate anatomical structures whilst showing the individuality and variation found in all biological specimens. It must be pointed out that plastinated specimens cannot fully replace "wet" specimen handling but complement it in an teaching environment which demands good quality specimens of high durability which are pleasant to handle.

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PLASTINATION - A Teaching Initiative to be Considered.

G. R. WHITTAKER, Curtin University of Technology Perth, Western Australia. 1995 Unpublished.

Teaching Human Biology, at any level, relies not only the expertise of a tutor but also on the availability and use of good teaching aids. Until recently these have been models and diagrams, either simple or complex to demonstrate anatomical features. The use of anatomically accurate models and specimens is critically important when teaching to health professionals, especially those in the medical sciences. Within these fields traditional teaching has meant the use of cadaver material (wet biological specimens) which are preserved in formaldehyde in a sealed jar or as a "wet specimen".

All teaching aids have limitations and those used for the biological sciences are without exception. Diagrams and charts can only show structures in two dimensions. Students forever find it difficult to visualise a three dimensional structure just from a diagram. Diagrams do not always give a good indication of size, shape, colour, weight or texture. Models, though a step up from charts and diagrams are very expensive and not always anatomically correct, also they may not show all related structures. As with diagrams, models tend to be too colourful eg. Arteries - red, veins - blue, nerves - yellow. This is good to differentiate structures but it is far from being lifelike. Potted specimens allow the viewing of anatomical specimens but do not allow handling. Wet specimens allow "hands on" learning but students and tutors have to contend with noxious formaldehyde fumes and wearing gloves.

Plastinated specimens are a relatively new and unique teaching aid that have the durability of anatomical models and exhibit accurate anatomical structures whilst also showing the individuality and variation found in all biological specimens. This is achieved because plastinated specimens are "real specimens" in which the water content of the biological tissue is replaced with a curable polymer. This means any specimen with a water content can be plastinated including leather, wood, plants, insects and animals. The type of polymer used during the impregnation process determines the optical (transparent or opaque) and the mechanical (flexible or firm) properties of the specimen. Polymer types include silicone rubber, epoxy resin and polyester.

The specimens produced by plastination have many advantages over other teaching aids they are odourless, dry to touch, non toxic, will last indefinitely and most importantly they are life-like. The most frequently used polymer is silicone rubber in the S10 technique. This is viewed as the standard method as it is the most widely used, it fulfils the need of most teaching schools, always produces satisfactory results and is the easiest of all the techniques to implement. The S10 method is currently in use at the Department of Human Biology at Curtin University of Western Australia providing plastinated specimens for undergraduate, as well as graduate courses.

The four steps of the plastination process are outlined below.

• Fixation or Tissue preparation - Requires the specimens to be fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution, this stablises the tissue and prevents autolysis. Specimens can also be dissected and blood vessels injected with a coloured medium to highlight desired structures.
• Dehydration - All biological specimens have a high water content which needs to be removed for plastination. This is achieved by a process known as Freeze Substitution where the specimens are placed into cold -25oC solvent, usually acetone. Over a period 4-5 weeks the tissue water is slowly replaced by the acetone.
• Forced impregnation - The dehydrated specimens are submerged into the liquid polymer and placed under vacuum. The vacuum draws out the acetone from the specimen and the polymer, takes its place.
• Gas Cure - The polymer filled specimen is placed into a sealed chamber where it comes in contact with a curing gas. This gas will harden the polymer throughout the specimen, making the specimen dry to touch with 48 hours. In a few months curing is complete and the specimen can be stored indefinitely at room temperature.

The end product is an anatomical specimen practically indistinguishable from the original. The plastinated specimen is easy to handle, more robust, chemical free and can be easily stored. Students tend to find plastinated specimens more pleasant to handle than "wet specimens". Plastinated specimens also have their limitations, they are relatively inflexible and structures cannot be manipulated or easily reflected to reveal underlying features. Dissection after plastination is also limited but with careful tissue preparation before plastination an extremely useful and some-what superior specimen can be produced.

Plastinated specimens, prepared in many institutions worldwide, have been widely accepted particularly due to their hard-wearing, durable nature and their high teaching value. They complement existing teaching initiatives in a variety of disciplines from general biology courses through to specialised courses in anatomy, pathology, zoology and forensic medicine, even research. Using these specimens as an adjunct to other aids can only help the teaching of what is considered by some a difficult and complex area.

For further information

Gary Whittaker (Senior Technician) Department of Human Biology School of Biomedical Sciences Curtin University of Technology GPO box U 1987 Perth Western Australia 6001 Ph : (09) 351 7222 Fax : (09) 351 2339 E-mail : g.whittaker@curtin.edu.au

The International Society for Plastination Robbie Boyes (Far East Correspondent) International Society for Plastination University of Queenland Royal Brisbane Hospital Herston, Queensland, Australia 4029 Ph : (07) 253 8111 Fax : (07) 365 5539 E-mail : anrboyes@dingo.cc.uq.oz.au

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Abstract of article presented at the Eighth International Conference of Plastination. July 1996. Brisbane, Australia.

Student Participation in Plastination as a Learning Exercise in a Science Degree Embryology Unit.

G.Whittaker and G.M.Fyfe
Department of Human Biology
School of Biomedical Sciences
Curtin University of Technology
P.O.Box U 1987, Perth WA 6001

Students enrolled in their third year of a Bachelor of Science course at Curtin University used plastination techniques to preserve their dissected specimens as part of the practical component of the embryology module of the Human Structure and Development unit co-ordinated by GMF at Curtin University. The experience and expertise of GW in S10 plastination technique was utilised. Students attended an information session on the methodology of plastination, which related well to their experience and knowledge of histological techniques using resin embedding. They then examined foetal piglet specimens, measured and weighed them to determine their various ages, and subsequently decided which aspects of development they wished to portray in their plastinated specimens.

Dissection work was carried out by each student, and the resulting specimens were dehydrated and plastinated over several weeks. Progress was monitored by the students with respect to dehydration, shrinkage and colour retention. After 8 weeks the plastinated specimens were examined and their component parts identified. The specimens were photographed with a digital camera and the resulting images imported into a hypercard stack representing the work of the class. The images were labelled and linked to information about their age and sectioning, and the plastinated specimens retained for use in the next years class.

As a result of participation in the plastination process, students were engaged in the technical aspects of their work and this increased their feelings of responsibility to the resulting dissection. Students gained insight into fixation and embedding techniques combined with image digitisation and multimedia presentation of graphical and text information.

Results of student evaluation of the plastination component of the unit, and examples of their work, will be presented with this paper.

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Photo Album

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USEFUL LINKS

Institute for Plastination- Heidelberg

www.plastination.com/

Plastination at Lausanne

www.ibcm.unil.ch/teach/plast

Plastination Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Michigan

www.med.umich.edu/anatomy/plastinate/

Plastination at Vienna University

http://www.meduniwien.ac.at/plastination/