Digitization TCN: Collaborative Research: oVert: Open Exploration of Vertebrate Diversity in 3D

数字化 TCN：合作研究：oVert：3D 脊椎动物多样性的开放探索

• 批准号: 1702421
• 负责人: John Bates
• 金额: $ 20.97万
• 依托单位: Field Museum of Natural History
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-09-01 至 2023-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1702421&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Digitization; TCN; Collaborative; Research; oVert

The oVert (openVertebrate) Thematic Collection Network (TCN) will generate and serve high-resolution digital three-dimensional (3D) data for internal anatomy across vertebrate diversity. Via a network of digitization centers across the US, more than 20,000 fluid-preserved specimens representing over 80% of the living genera of vertebrates will be CT-scanned. This will provide broad coverage for exploration and research on all major groups of vertebrates. Contrast-enhanced scans will be generated that reveal soft tissues and organs. This collection of digital imagery and three-dimensional volumes will be open for exploration, download, and use to address questions related to the discovery of new species, documenting patterns of anatomical diversity and growth, and testing hypotheses of function and evolution. The resource will provide unprecedented global access to valuable specimens in US museum collections and will develop best practices and guidelines for high-throughput CT-scanning, including efficient workflows, preferred resolutions, and archival formats that optimize the variety of downstream applications. Museum specialists will be trained on the generation, curation, and distribution of 3D data, researchers in using 3D anatomical data, and high school and undergraduate students in the tools for creating 3D anatomical models. To drive the use of these digital specimens by K-12 STEM educators, teacher-driven workshops that generate freely available lesson plans focused on specific science standards that are based on digital and printed 3D models of specimens in US museum collections.Data generated by oVert will serve as a catalyst for diverse research projects focused on understanding the vertebrate morphological diversity and will dramatically increase the accessibility of specimens housed in US scientific collections. These anatomical phenotypes represent a common currency that facilitates integration across the fields of taxonomy, evolution, developmental biology, comparative physiology, functional anatomy, paleontology, and ecology. The x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning gemerates high-resolution digital anatomical data, represented as both 2D image stacks and 3D volumes and surfaces. With these 3D digital specimens, US and international research communities will be able to (1) diagnose, describe, and infer patterns of relationships among both living and extinct vertebrates, (2) test hypotheses of morphological evolution such as patterns of disparity, modularity, and phenotype-environment correlations, (3) develop structure-function models for testing hypotheses about morphological adaptations related to, e.g., feeding and locomotion, and (4) explore relationships between brain and nervous system anatomy and both sensory and musculoskeletal function. The 3D data will be distributed globally through MorphoSource, an on-line data repository for 3D biological specimen data, which will capture standardized metadata, ingest legacy data from previous and existing projects, and will supply media information to data aggregators including iDigBio (www.idigbio.org). Training workshops, both on-site at participating institutions and national society meetings of scientists and educators are planned to foster innovation and capabilities for users of 3D image data.

oVert (openVertebrate) 主题收集网络 (TCN) 将生成并提供高分辨率数字三维 (3D) 数据，用于跨脊椎动物多样性的内部解剖学。 通过遍布美国的数字化中心网络，将对 20,000 多个液体保存标本进行 CT 扫描，这些标本代表了现存脊椎动物属的 80% 以上。 这将为所有主要脊椎动物类群的探索和研究提供广泛的覆盖范围。 将生成显示软组织和器官的对比度增强扫描。 该数字图像和三维卷集将开放供探索、下载和使用，以解决与发现新物种、记录解剖多样性和生长模式以及测试功能和进化假设相关的问题。 该资源将为全球提供对美国博物馆馆藏中珍贵标本的前所未有的访问，并将开发高通量 CT 扫描的最佳实践和指南，包括高效的工作流程、首选分辨率和优化各种下游应用的档案格式。 博物馆专家将接受有关 3D 数据的生成、管理和分发的培训，研究人员将接受有关使用 3D 解剖数据的培训，高中生和本科生将接受有关创建 3D 解剖模型的工具的培训。 为了推动 K-12 STEM 教育工作者对这些数字标本的使用，由教师主导的研讨会生成了免费的课程计划，重点关注基于美国博物馆收藏中标本的数字和打印 3D 模型的特定科学标准。oVert 生成的数据将成为各种研究项目的催化剂，重点是了解脊椎动物形态多样性，并将大大提高美国科学收藏中标本的可获取性。这些解剖表型代表了一种共同的货币，促进了分类学、进化、发育生物学、比较生理学、功能解剖学、古生物学和生态学领域的整合。 X 射线计算机断层扫描 (CT) 扫描生成高分辨率数字解剖数据，以 2D 图像堆栈和 3D 体积和表面的形式表示。 借助这些 3D 数字标本，美国和国际研究界将能够 (1) 诊断、描述和推断现存和灭绝的脊椎动物之间的关系模式，(2) 测试形态进化的假设，例如差异模式、模块化和表型-环境相关性，(3) 开发结构功能模型，用于测试与进食和进食等相关的形态适应的假设。 (4) 探索大脑和神经系统解剖结构以及感觉和肌肉骨骼功能之间的关系。 3D 数据将通过 MorphoSource 在全球范围内分发，MorphoSource 是一个 3D 生物标本数据在线数据存储库，它将捕获标准化元数据，提取以前和现有项目的遗留数据，并向包括 iDigBio (www.idigbio.org) 在内的数据聚合器提供媒体信息。 计划在参与机构举办现场培训研讨会以及由科学家和教育工作者参加的国家学会会议，以促进 3D 图像数据用户的创新和能力。