Hepatobiliary Pathology 2025

Wilson’s Disease: The Copper Conundrum - Team 3

Media Type: Presentation

Summary

Our project explores how the liver works and what happens when a genetic disorder, specifically Wilson’s Disease (WD), disrupts its function. We created an interactive slideshow to present this information in an engaging and easy-to-follow way. This format allows viewers to absorb small pieces of information at a time, explore specific topics in more detail if they choose, and progress through the content at their own pace. These specific criteria would have been difficult to satisfy had we used another medium to convey this information.

In short, Wilson’s Disease is a rare condition that prevents the body from properly removing excess copper, which we naturally consume through food. In a healthy liver, a protein called ATP7B helps eliminate copper, but in people with WD, this protein doesn’t work correctly. As a result, copper builds up in liver cells, eventually spilling into the bloodstream and reaching other organs like the brain and eyes. Our project focuses on how this copper overload damages the liver, leading to cell death and cirrhosis, a severe scarring of liver tissue. We also discussed the stages of liver damage that eventually leads to cirrhosis and this included things like fat accumulation on the liver (steatosis) and inflammation (hepatitis).

We also discussed how WD is diagnosed, highlighting key markers doctors look for, as well as common treatments that help manage the condition. By presenting this information in an interactive format, we aim to make complex medical concepts more. accessible and help viewers understand the impact of Wilson’s Disease on liver health. Our presentation is also an additional learning resource for students of this course for which they can use to review their knowledge and obtain a better understanding of the concepts learnt in lecture.

Keywords: Liver, Wilson’s Disease, Copper Metabolism, ATP7B Protein, Inherited Diseases, Cirrhosis

Hepatic Havoc: An Educational Escape Room - Team 6

Media Type: Escape Room

Summary

Hepatic Havoc: An Educational Escape Room is an online, digital escape room accessible for all-ages and all-levels of education. The escape room utilizes a case study and prompts participants to learn about different elements of liver pathology, including histological elements, etiology, pathogenesis, causes, and symptoms, and apply it within a clinical setting. Very few online pathology resources cater to an all-ages lay audience and even fewer of those resources encompass education, engagement, and fun all into one. We wanted to increase the accessibility of available pathology education, given that many pathology resources online are designed for a professional, scientific audience and are hidden behind paywalls. Our project focuses on simplifying complex pathological topics into fun, interactive learning modules which are engaging but still educational. Using a variety of different mediums and graphic resources, we also cater to audiences of differing abilities; those with learning disabilities, dyslexia, colorblindness, deaf/blind, etc. are all able to navigate and participate to some extent in our final product. While primarily educational, our project also aims to bring awareness to the effects of chronic alcohol use and the dangers of alcoholism, as a tribute to personal tragedies within each of our lives.

Keywords: Cirrhosis, liver pathology, case study, educational escape room, histology, liver

AI 101: Survival Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Pathology 3500 - The Hepatobiliary Unit Edition - Team 7

Media Type: Presentation

Summary

Our PULSE assignment aims to equip future Pathology 3500 students with a deeper understanding of course content and the skills to use AI effectively as a learning tool, both within the course and more broadly in the classroom. We approached this assignment by asking ourselves: “What do we wish we had known when we first enrolled in Pathology 3500?” This reflective question shaped the foundation of our group’s introductory discussion, where we shared personal challenges faced in the course and how AI tools helped us overcome them, while supporting our diverse learning styles and needs.

After introducing students to various AI tools, we included an insightful interview with Dr. Matthew Cecchini, a current Pathology 3500 instructor and anatomical pathologist, who provides valuable perspectives on the use of AI in his teachings and for studying.

We then applied these tools to the Hepatobiliary Unit. The hepatobiliary system supports digestion and metabolism, with the liver filtering toxins and producing bile. Liver diseases, including hepatitis and neoplasms, can disrupt these functions, leading to fatigue, jaundice, and digestive issues, often caused by infections, genetics, or lifestyle factors. Major topics covered include: Anatomy, Histology, and Function of The Hepatobiliary System; Vessels and Ducts; Liver Diseases and Treatment; Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Complications of Hepatobiliary Disease; and Hepatitis.

By grounding our project in both content and AI application, our goal is to help students build a strong conceptual foundation and develop the ability to apply the AI strategies we outline for any topic within the course. Each group member focused on a specific subsection in depth, incorporating the AI tools they personally found most helpful. To reinforce learning, we included AI-generated multiple-choice questions at the end of the slideshow.

**All AI-generated content was fact-checked by the team using credible scientific sources, which are cited throughout the presentation.

Keywords: AI Strategies, Hepatobiliary System, Liver Disease

Getting to the Cu-re: Understanding Wilson’s Disease - Team 33

Media Type: Learning Module

Summary

Wilson’s Disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes copper to build up in the body, particularly in the liver, brain, and other organs. A mutation in the gene responsible for copper processing in the liver (ATP7B) prevents copper from being properly excreted, leading to toxic accumulation. While classic symptoms often include copper rings in the eyes, Wilson’s Disease also causes severe side effects affecting the whole-body system, such as liver damage, neurological issues like tremors and difficulty moving, and psychiatric symptoms. Symptoms typically appear between the ages of 5 and 40, and without treatment, the disease can be lifethreatening. Especially as Wilson’s Disease is a rare and underdiagnosed condition, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Understanding its causes, as well as its effects on various organs, is vital for better management and awareness. We decided to present this topic through an interactive educational learning format. This decision was made to make the material more engaging and accessible. By allowing the audience to navigate at their own pace and explore the information in a non-linear fashion, it accommodates various learning styles. The clickable components and quizzes ensure that learners actively engage with the content, deepening their understanding of the disease’s complex nature—covering content from the anatomy of the liver, role of copper in the body, genetic mutation in Wilson’s Disease, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Keywords: Wilson’s Disease, Metabolic Disorder, Copper Metabolism, Genetic Mutations, Hepatocytes,
Liver