Histopathology & Cytopathology

Neuropathology is the study of disease of nervous system tissue, usually in the form small surgical biopsies or sometimes whole body in the case of autopsy. Neuropathology also relates to forensic pathology because brain disease or brain injury can be related to cause of death. Neuropathology should not be confused with neuropathy, which refers to disorders of the nerves. A person, who specializes in neuropathology, by completing a fellowship after a residency in anatomical or general pathology, is called a neuropathologist. Neuropathology is a subspecialty of anatomic pathology, neurology, and neurosurgery. In many English-speaking countries, neuropathology is considered a subfield of anatomical pathology. 

Biopsies can also consist of the skin. Epidermal nerve fiber density testing (ENFD) is a more recently developed neuropathology test in which a punch skin is taken for biopsy to identify small fiber neuropathies by analyzing the nerve fibers of the skin and it is going to available in selective labs as well as many universities. It is also used to identify painful small fiber neuropathies.

The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that pests and plant diseases are responsible for about 25% of crop loss. To solve this problem new methods are needed to detect diseases and pests in early stages, such as novel sensors that detect plant odours and spectroscopy and bio photonics that are able to diagnose health and metabolism of plant. Control of plant diseases is very crucial to the reliable production of food, and it provides significant problems in agricultural use of land, water, fuel and other inputs.