INTRODUCTION

Figure 1. Group photograph at the main entrance of Universidad de La Frontera. Participants of the 13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination are pictured at the university entrance alongside one of its iconic sculptures, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge, scientific inquiry, and the human aspiration to observe and understand the world, values that resonate with the academic spirit and scientific mission of the university.

The 13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination, together with the 5th International Workshop on

Plastination, was held from December 1^st  to 5^th , 2025, at the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO) in Temuco, Chile. The event was presided over by Dr. Nicolás E. Ottone, Vice President of the International Society for

Plastination (ISP) and Director of the Laboratory of Plastination and Anatomical Techniques at UFRO. Notably, this meeting followed the successful organization of the International Conference on Plastination held for the first time in South America in 2022 (online), also hosted at UFRO, underscoring the sustained institutional commitment to supporting the development of plastination in the region and consolidating UFRO as a growing reference center for plastination education, training, and research in South America.

In parallel, the meeting hosted the 7th International Congress on Anatomical Techniques, promoted by the Pan-American Association of Anatomy (APA) and the Southern Cone Morphological Society, creating an integrated framework that combined scientific exchange, technical training, and institutional cooperation. This event represented an official ISP activity in South America and constituted the second Interim Meeting on Plastination held in Latin America.

Scientific Program

The scientific and educational program was designed to integrate theoretical foundations, practical training, and ethical reflection in plastination. It comprised 10 specialized seminars oriented toward workshop preparation, covering S10, E12, and P40 plastination techniques, ultra-thin sheet plastination, microplastination, laboratory safety, and the planning and installation of plastination laboratories.

The program also included 8 plenary lectures delivered by internationally recognized keynote speakers, addressing advances in plastination, research applications, The Journal of Plastination, and educational innovation. A round-table discussion on ethical issues in plastination emphasized donor respect, best practices  and ethical frameworks. These activities were complemented by 7 oral presentations, highlighting ongoing research and technical developments.

Figure 2. Group photograph of keynote speakers and participants of the 13th Interim Meeting and Plastination Workshop. From left to right: Dr(c) Carlos Torres-Villar, Dr. Philip Adds, Dr. Nicolás Ottone, Dr. Fabiola Zambrano, Dr. Carlos Baptista, Dr. Telma Masuko, Dr. Volker Schill, Dr. Yury Andreev, Dr(c) Rebecca Brewer, Dr. Ellen Savoini, Dr. Vladimir Chereminskiy, and Dr. Dmitry Starchik, pictured in front of the sign of the Centro de Excelencia en Estudios Morfológicos y Quirúrgicos (CEMyQ) / Center of Excellence in Morphological and Surgical Studies, Universidad de La Frontera, during the 13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination.

International Participation

The meeting brought together 55 participants, including anatomists, researchers, technicians, clinicians, and advanced students, from Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This broad international representation reflected the growing global interest in plastination and the increasing relevance of South America as a center for education and training in this field.

Among the distinguished invited speakers were Dr. Dmitry Starchik (President of ISP; North-Western State Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia), Dr. Carlos Baptista (Treasurer and Past President of ISP; University of Toledo, Ohio, USA), Dr. Philip Adds (Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Plastination; St George’s, University of London, United Kingdom), Dr. Vladimir Chereminskiy (Director of Anatomy and Plastination, Von Hagens Plastination, Germany; Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA), Dr. Ellen Savoini (ISP Councilor; A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Phoenix, USA), Dr. Volker Schill (ISP Councilor; Biodur Product GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany), Dr. Telma Masuko (Past President, Brazilian Society of Anatomy; Federal University of Bahia, Brazil), and Rebecca Brewer (Personal Assistant to Prof. Gunther von Hagens; University of Warwick, United Kingdom).

Workshop Activities

The 5th International Workshop on Plastination was conceived as an intensive, hands-on training experience for participants with varying levels of expertise. Practical sessions emphasized the direct application of all major plastination techniques, silicone (S10), epoxy (E12), polyester (P40) plastination, as well as injection and corrosion techniques,, across their different variants, under expert supervision, strengthening competencies related to specimen preparation, processing, and quality control.

Figure 3. Forced impregnation area of the Plastination Laboratory. Dr. Nicolás Ottone and Dr. Volker Schill explain the forced impregnation procedure during the first day of the plastination workshop, outlining the technical principles and operational aspects of this key step to the participants.	Figure 4. Curing area of the Plastination Laboratory. Dr. Volker Schill demonstrates the curing stage of the silicone plastination technique (S10), explaining specimen handling and key technical considerations of this final phase to workshop participants.	Figure 5. Practical session on polyester resin plastination (P40). Hands-on activity showing the assembly of curing chambers for the polyester resin plastination technique (P40), including the alignment of glass plates prior to the insertion of brain slices and subsequent polymerization during the plastination workshop.
Figure 6. Practical session on polyester resin plastination (P40). Hands-on activity focused on the plastination of thin brain sections using polyester resin (P40), showing the placement of brain slices inside the curing chambers as a key step for the preservation and polymerization of delicate cerebral sections during the plastination workshop.	Figure 7. Academic interaction during the Interim Meeting on Plastination. From right to left: Dr. Nicolás Ottone (Laboratory Director), Dr. Carlos Baptista, Dr. Philip Adds, and Dr. Dmitry Starchik, pictured at the Plastination and Anatomical Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry and CEMyQ, Universidad de La Frontera, during activities of the 13 International Interim Meeting on Plastination, with Dr. Ottone welcoming the invited professors and presenting the laboratory facilities and ongoing work.	Figure 8. Group photograph following the lecture by Dr. Philip Adds on ultrathin sheet plastination technique. Participants are pictured at the Mario Cantín Auditorium, Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences (Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile), where selected theoretical and practical activities of the plastination workshop were conducted as part of the 13 International Interim Meeting on Plastination.

A distinctive feature of the workshop was the online presence of Professor Gunther von Hagens during the practical sessions. His virtual attendance was of considerable symbolic and academic significance, underscoring the continuity between the origins of plastination and its current technical applications.

Tribute to Professor Gunther von Hagens

Figure 9. Hybrid practical session on epoxy resin plastination (E12). Practical workshop activity focused on the epoxy sheet plastination technique (E12), conducted at the Mario Cantín Auditorium (Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile) as part of the 5th International Workshop on Plastination during the 13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination. The online presence of Professor Gunther von Hagens, creator of the plastination technique, conveyed inspiration and symbolic guidance, underscoring the historical and conceptual significance of the method within a hybrid academic setting.

A formal tribute was held during the opening ceremony to honor Professor Gunther von Hagens on the occasion of his 80th birthday, recognizing his pioneering contributions to plastination and his lasting impact on anatomical science and education.

During the closing session, Prof. von Hagens again participated online, conveying his greetings. This session also included a commemorative acknowledgment of the 30th anniversary of Body Worlds, highlighting its global influence on the communication of anatomy and its role in fostering dialogue between science, art, and society.

Institutional and Social Activities

As part of the official program, representatives of the ISP met with senior authorities of UFRO, emphasizing the strategic value of hosting international scientific events focused on specialized techniques such as plastination.

On Friday, participants joined a social and cultural activity at Lake Villarrica, including a boat trip to a nearby island with panoramic views of the Villarrica Volcano, followed by a visit to local thermal baths. This activity was highly appreciated as an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships and foster bonds of friendship, while complementing the intensive academic program in a relaxed and collegial setting.

Figure 10. Protocol meeting with the authorities of Universidad de La Frontera. From left to right: Dr. Nicolás Ottone, Dr. Vladimir Chereminskiy, Dr. Carlos Baptista, Dr. Dmitry Starchik, Dr. Juan Manuel Fierro (Rector, UFRO), Dr. Eduardo Cisternas (Academic Vice Rector, UFRO), and Dr. Víctor Beltrán (Director of Internationalization, UFRO), pictured during the formal protocol meeting with university authorities that was held within the framework of the Interim Meeting on Plastination, reinforcing institutional collaboration and recognizing the disciplinary relevance of plastination research and training at UFRO.

Figure 11. Farewell dinner of the 13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination. Group photograph taken during the closing dinner in a traditional restaurant in Temuco, where participants shared a convivial evening and enjoyed the regional specialty bife de chorizo (sirloin steak), an experience highly appreciated by all attendees and marking the conclusion of the meeting.

Figure 12. Social and cultural closing activity of the 13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination. Group photograph taken during the closing excursion on an island in Lake Villarrica, with Villarrica Volcano visible in the background, where an atmosphere of nature and informal interaction fostered the strengthening of friendship ties and scientific exchange among participants following the scientific program.

Figure 13. Social and recreational activity following the conclusion of the 13 International Interim Meeting on Plastination. Group photograph taken at the hot springs of the commune of Liquine, Panguipulli, La Araucanía Region, Chile, where participants enjoyed a day of relaxation and collegial fellowship after the completion of the Interim Meeting, reinforcing personal connections and international collaboration.

CONCLUSION

The “13th International Interim Meeting on Plastination” and the “5th International Workshop on Plastination” successfully strengthened international collaboration, technical education, and ethical awareness in plastination. By integrating scientific sessions, hands-on training, institutional engagement, and cultural activities, the meeting made a meaningful contribution to the advancement of plastination, and confirmed the growing role of Chile and South America as active centers for education and innovation in plastination.