Plastination

Plastination, a preservation technique patented by Gunther von Hagens in 1979, involves impregnating biological tissues with synthetic resin to create durable, lifelike specimens. Building on this innovation, von Hagens founded the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1993. The institute gained global recognition with its first exhibition of plastinated bodies in Japan in 1995, which attracted over three million visitors. Today, the institute operates centers in Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and China, advancing the field and its applications.

Widely used in anatomy education, plastination serves as a practical and long-lasting teaching tool. Employed in over 40 medical and dental schools worldwide, it complements dissection and enables hands-on learning of both normal and pathological anatomy. In the medical sciences, plastinated specimens are invaluable for studying intricate anatomical details without exposure to harmful chemicals.

Dr. Frank brings over a decade of undergraduate and graduate-level teaching experience in human gross anatomy, acquired at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences (UTCOM&LS). There, he trained under Dr. Carlos A.C. Baptista, a leading expert in plastination, gaining expertise in Silicone, Polyester, and Epoxy plastination techniques. Dr. Frank’s research focuses on plastination, and he actively contributes to the field as a member of the International Society for Plastination (ISP), serving on its governing council and the editorial board of the *Journal of Plastination.* His commitment to education and innovation continues to promote this groundbreaking preservation method.