High Resolution Specimen MicroCT System

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案的目的是购买一台三维微型计算机断层扫描仪。该系统具有以5到100微米的分辨率对生物标本的三维结构进行数字化的能力。该系统将从本质上取代过去17年来一直作为密歇根大学核心设施运营一部分的系统，该系统为130多名教师提供支持。购买这个新系统的主要理由是基于一大批资金充足的调查人员的需要，以及在运行中的系统中发生的灾难性故障。通过3D Micro CT系统获取的数据使研究人员能够研究与骨骼疾病相关的机制，从与年龄相关的骨质疏松症到诸如成骨不全症等遗传疾病，并评估包括组织工程构建和其他再生医学策略开发在内的治疗潜力。该系统的另一个重要用途是支持在小动物模型中评估调节骨骼功能的基本机制。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposal is to purchase a three-dimensional micro computed tomography scanner. The system has the capability of digitizing the three-dimensional architecture of biologic specimens at a resolution between 5 and 100 microns. This system will essentially replace a system that has been part of a Core facility operation at the University of Michigan for the past 17 years and has supported more than 130 faculty. The principal rationale for the purchase of this new system is based on needs of a large group of well funded investigators and the catastrophic failure that has occurred in the system that was in operation. The data which can be acquired by the 3D Micro CT system enables investigators to study mechanisms associated with skeletal diseases ranging from age associated osteoporosis to genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta and evaluating the potential for therapies including the development of tissue engineered constructs and other regenerative medicine strategies. An additional significant use of the system is in support of evaluating fundamental mechanisms regulating the function of the skeleton as modeled in small animals.