Optical microscopy remains a fundamental tool in the service of anatomic pathology. Concomitant with this reality is a growing plurality of optical and computational technologies that hold the promise for further advancing the utility of microscopy for diagnostic, prognostic, consultative and educational activities. Recognizing that many pathologists are given the opportunity to purchase a new microscope a few times in their careers, this course will provide the required background and overall framework which should empower pathologists to be able to make optimal choices with respect to the selection of optical hardware and similarly, understand the tradeoffs in cost-versus-benefit associated with such choices.

As an enabling condition for subsequent more detailed discussions, this course will open with an overview of the core optical theory as it applies to microscopy. This section will include coverage of: classic optics, parts of the microscope and what they do, aberration and Köhler illumination. Knowledge of these fundamental concepts will then allow the participant to more effectively grasp subsequent coverage of the numerous technical developments in microscopy including: digital photomicrography, optical resolution and operation, digital capture technology and camera selection.

Finally, the course will conclude with a section on the most recent and promising technologies and methodologies and post-capture computational processing transformations that are relevant to both diagnostic and prognostic use-cases, including: whole slide scanning, multispectral imaging, multiplexed in situ hybridization and finally, image searching / content-based image retrieval. This section will make use of both didactic material and interactive demonstrations to highlight concepts of interest.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to: 1) understand the basic optical principles contributing towards the overall operation of a light microscope, 2) understand the different options available in the catalogs of the microscope manufacturers, 3) gain understanding with effective methods on use of microscopy for both observation and photography, 3) gain understanding of the plurality of new techniques emerging in modern microscopy, 4) have basic knowledge of methods of in vivo microscopy and 5) gain familiarity with the growing repertoire of digital microscopic methodologies and transformations including transport, storage and search technologies.

The course is designed for residents, fellows and general pathologists. A comprehensive syllabus will be distributed at the course. After the meeting, a CD-ROM of representative course material will be mailed to all registrants for the course and additionally, a website will be made available, providing access to supporting educational material with interactive demonstrations, and representative open-source digital data transformation tools which will be similar to those that are to be featured in the presentation. (New Course) This course may be used for CME credits or SAM’s credits.