Microcomputed tomography device (Scanco microCT35)

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案寻求资金购买高分辨率桌面显微层析成像设备（5CT35, Scanco USA, Southeastern， PA）。耶鲁大学迫切需要对硬组织进行精细结构分析的能力。1999年，耶鲁大学肌肉骨骼疾病核心中心（YCCMD）通过NIAMS颁发的P30核心中心奖成立。该中心于2004年进行了竞争性更新。该中心的任务是开发和评估肌肉骨骼疾病的动物模型。目前由来自医学中心和大学各部门的43名成员组成，包括内科、儿科、外科、骨科、妇产科、病理学、免疫生物学和发育生物学。这些研究人员中有一些是骨骼生物学领域最杰出的科学家，他们中的许多人正在进行动物研究，作为他们研究计划的一部分。YCCMD支持一个试点项目，该项目每年资助2名新的研究人员开发肌肉骨骼疾病的动物模型。2005年，耶鲁大学被授予P50中心研究翻译，耶鲁大学X-Linked低磷佝偻病研究中心（YC- XLH）。该转化奖资助了2个涉及动物模型的大型项目：一个是探索FGF信号在骨中的作用，另一个是探索磷酸盐在调节生长板中的作用。此外，YC-XLH每年支持3个试点项目，这些项目将于2008年开始。这些试点项目很可能包括肌肉骨骼疾病的动物模型。目前，耶鲁大学唯一可用的估算小鼠骨量的方法是PIXimus，由YCCMD生理学核心操作。耶鲁大学没有微型ct机。因此，需要这项技术的研究人员不得不将他们的实验外包给康涅狄格大学道格拉斯·亚当斯（Douglas Adams）博士管理的微型ct设备，或者外包给玛丽·布森（Mary Bouxsein）博士在波士顿的设备。由于这些机器已经大量投入使用，来自耶鲁大学的样本在合作机构中的优先级较低。YCCMD的组织形态计量学单位正被样品所淹没，而不是另一种方法来分别确定皮质和小梁骨量或提供详细的骨微结构分析。Scanco 5CT35的收购将为耶鲁大学的研究人员提供最先进的高分辨率（3.5微米）成像能力，以及进行有限元分析的能力。这些能力对于维持耶鲁大学肌肉骨骼科学目前的发现速度是绝对必要的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal seeks funding to purchase a high-resolution desktop microtomographic imaging device (5CT35, Scanco USA, Southeastern, PA). There is an urgent and ongoing need for the ability to do fine structural analysis of hard tissues at Yale University. In 1999, the Yale Core Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders (YCCMD) was established through a P30 Core Center award from NIAMS. This Center was competitively renewed in 2004. The Center has as its mission the development and evaluation of animal models of musculoskeletal disorders. It is currently comprised of 43 members from Departments across the Medical Center and the University, including Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pathology, Immunobiology, and Developmental Biology. Among these investigators are some of the most prominent scientists in the field of skeletal biology, many of whom have ongoing animal studies as part of their research programs. The YCCMD supports a Pilot Project program, which funds 2 new investigators each year to develop animal models for musculoskeletal disorders. In 2005, Yale was awarded a P50 Center Research Translation, the Yale Center for X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets Research (YC- XLH). This translational award funds 2 large projects involving animal models: one to explore the role of FGF signaling in bone, and one to explore the role of phosphate in regulating the growth plate. In addition, the YC-XLH supports 3 Pilot projects annually that will begin in 2008. It is likely that these Pilot projects will include animal models of musculoskeletal disorders. Currently, the only method available at Yale to estimate bone mass in mice is PIXimus, operated by the Physiology Core of the YCCMD. There is no microCT machine at Yale University. Consequently, investigators requiring this technology have had to outsource their experiments, either to the University of Connecticut microCT facility run by Dr. Douglas Adams, or to Dr. Mary Bouxsein's facility in Boston. Since these machines are already heavily committed, samples from Yale receive lower priority at the collaborating institutions. The YCCMD's Histomorphometry Unit is being overwhelmed with samples in lieu of another methodology to separately determine cortical and trabecular bone mass or to provide detailed microarchitectural analysis of bone. The acquisition of the Scanco 5CT35 will give investigators at Yale state-of-the-art, high-resolution (3.5 micron) imaging capacity, as well as the ability to undertake finite element analysis. These capabilities are absolutely required to sustain the current pace of discovery in musculoskeletal science at Yale.