Clinical Anatomy
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Division of Clinical Anatomy

Histolo​​gy

Our research group aims to advance the understanding of tissue responses to various interventions through cutting-edge analytical histology research, conducted in collaboration with leading academic divisions. 

Collaborative Research with the Division of Medical Physiology

Our analytical research projects are a collaborative effort with the Division of Medical Physiology at Stellenbosch University. These projects focus on exploring the potential of nutraceuticals, such as green rooibos, to counteract the effects of high-fat and high-sucrose diets on the cellular structure and function of the liver, muscle, and bone tissue. 

Additionally, we are evaluating the effects of second-generation antipsychotic drugs like olanzapine, combined with high-sucrose diets, on the histomorphology of the brain, gastrointestinal system, microbiome, femur, tibia, muscle, spleen, lungs, and adipose tissue. This will provide insights into the underlying mechanisms to mitigate their adverse effects, ultimately assisting in the treatment of patients. 

Collaborative Research with the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics

We also collaborate with the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at Stellenbosch University to study the effects of curdlan and lecithin polycaprolactone nanoparticles on the histomorphology of the lungs, spleen, liver, bone, and heart at 7-, 14-, and 28-days post-infection. These nanoparticles are investigated for their potential therapeutic benefits on tissue structure/function during an infection 

Future directions

Given the advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years, our future projects aim to integrate AI, such as machine learning to support and enhance histology analysis. This will streamline and improve the efficiency of tissue analysis therefore increasing collaboration with other divisions to explore new insights on how interventions impact tissue health and structure. 

Furthermore, we plan to fully establish resin embedding and sectioning for our histology work. Resin embedding offers superior tissue morphology preservation and better sectioning quality compared to traditional methods such as paraffin embedding. 

For more information, contact: 

Mrs. Jodie Lemphane
Email: jilayman@sun.ac.za

Mr. Jeffery Pieterse
Email: jjp1@sun.ac.za