Presentation Title
Preparation and Preservation of Donated Human Skeletal Remains with the use of Dermestid Beetles, Maceration, and Acryloid B-72 Polymer
Abstract
The acquisition of high quality, ethically sourced human skeletal remains for the purposes of education has historically been a difficult and expensive process. Following the closure of major skeletal processing plants in Asia, the main source of anatomical teaching skeletons, American and European universities have been forced to use their existing skeletal teaching collections to the point of irreparable damage. Using Larner College of Medicine’s already established Anatomical Gifts Program, high quality teaching skeletal specimens were produced using a novel process involving both Dermestid beetle treatment and warm water maceration. Resulting bones were then degreased, whitened, and preserved using acryloid B-72 polymer. This preservation method was found to be successful in maintaining the integrity of pathological specimens, which is important considering the average donor population. This process resulted in high quality, ethically sourced human skeletal remains for the classrooms of Larner College of Medicine and can be replicated at any university with a pre-established anatomical gifts donation program.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Gary Mawe
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Dr. Gary Mawe (Mentor), Elizabeth McLeod (Collaborator), Anna Whaley (Collaborator)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Anthropology
Second Program/Major
Biological Science
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Health Sciences
Preparation and Preservation of Donated Human Skeletal Remains with the use of Dermestid Beetles, Maceration, and Acryloid B-72 Polymer
The acquisition of high quality, ethically sourced human skeletal remains for the purposes of education has historically been a difficult and expensive process. Following the closure of major skeletal processing plants in Asia, the main source of anatomical teaching skeletons, American and European universities have been forced to use their existing skeletal teaching collections to the point of irreparable damage. Using Larner College of Medicine’s already established Anatomical Gifts Program, high quality teaching skeletal specimens were produced using a novel process involving both Dermestid beetle treatment and warm water maceration. Resulting bones were then degreased, whitened, and preserved using acryloid B-72 polymer. This preservation method was found to be successful in maintaining the integrity of pathological specimens, which is important considering the average donor population. This process resulted in high quality, ethically sourced human skeletal remains for the classrooms of Larner College of Medicine and can be replicated at any university with a pre-established anatomical gifts donation program.