Micro-computed tomography system (Micro-CT)

描述（由申请人提供）：美国国立卫生研究院资助的特殊外科医院肌肉骨骼修复和再生核心中心（MRRCC）必须更换其EVS/GE微型计算机断层扫描（micro-CT）系统，因为GE将不再有可用于我们过去7年来一直使用的原型模型的部件。该应用程序的目的是获取一种新的微型ct，以加快数据采集时间，减少用户等待收集数据的时间，并消除我们现在经历的部件清除以修复当前单元的停机时间。核心中心目前有一个由20名NIH资助的研究人员组成的研究基地，他们在骨骼发育和修复领域工作。此外，来自哥伦比亚大学、纽约大学（NYU）、纽约城市学院和康奈尔大学威尔医学院的外部用户使用MRRCC Imaging Core提供的micro-CT服务（也包括micro-CT以外的成像技术）。对于这些研究者来说，骨骼完整性是他们研究的一个基本部分，它是由生物、化学和机械影响所定义的，这些影响使骨骼成为一种独特的组织。通过应用分子生物学和遗传学的进展，这些研究人员正在将生物学和工程学整合到使用小动物模型的体内实验中，以检查骨骼的组成，结构和功能之间的关系，从而使骨骼发挥其独特的作用。替代的微型ct系统将提供这些动物的小骨骼和牙齿的重要详细结构信息，这些信息将补充通过其他MRRCC核心提供的分析，例如成分测量（来自红外成像）和功能数据（来自机械测试和有限元分析）。micro-CT系统目前被20名MRRCC研究人员（有28个资助项目）使用，包括软骨特性、血管生成和牙齿发育的新研究，以及小鼠表型和人类骨骼特性的频繁评估。微型ct系统的拨款将由MRRCC管理。由于该工具是一种替代品，因此已制定了使用、优先排序、维护和监督的政策和程序，并有经验丰富的技术人员进行培训和数据处理。在微型ct上进行的研究提供了关于各种遗传操作对骨骼完整性的影响以及治疗对肌肉骨骼系统的影响的新的定量3D信息。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The NIH-funded (P30 AR046121) Musculoskeletal Repair and Regeneration Core Center (MRRCC) at the Hospital for Special Surgery must replace its EVS/GE micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system because GE will no longer have parts available for the prototype model we have been using for the past ~7yrs. The purpose of this application is to acquire a new micro-CT to speed data acquisition time, decrease the time users wait to collect data, and eliminate the down time we now experience as parts are scavenged to repair the current unit. The Core Center currently has a research base of 20 NIH funded investigators working in the area of bone development and repair. Additionally, outside users from Columbia University, New York University (NYU), City College of NY, and Weill Medical College of Cornell University utilize the micro-CT services provided by the MRRCC Imaging Core (also including imaging technologies beyond micro-CT). For these investigators, skeletal integrity, as defined by the biological, chemical, and mechanical influences that make bone such a distinctive tissue, is a fundamental part of their research. By applying advances in molecular biology and genetics, these researchers are integrating biology and engineering into in vivo experiments using small animal models to examine the relation between composition, structure, and function that allows the skeleton to fulfill its unique role. The replacement micro-CT system will provide crucial detailed structural information on the small bones and teeth from these animals that will complement analysis provided through other MRRCC cores, such as compositional measurements (from infrared imaging) and functional data (from mechanical testing and finite element analyses). The micro-CT system is currently being used by 20 MRRCC investigators (with 28 funded projects) including novel studies of cartilage properties, angiogenesis, and tooth development, in addition to frequent evaluations of mouse phenotype and human bone properties. The grant for the micro-CT system will be administered within the MRRCC. Because this instrument is a replacement, policies and procedures are in place for its use, prioritization, maintenance, and oversight, and experienced technical staff are available for training and data processing. The studies performed on the micro-CT are providing novel quantitative 3D information on the effects of a variety of genetic manipulations on skeletal integrity and on the effects of therapeutics on the musculoskeletal system.