ShEEP Request for SCANCO microCT

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ABSTRACT We are requesting funds to purchase a Scanco µCT 90 desktop microCT instrument. This instrument enables investigators to conduct high-throughput, high-resolution microCT scanning for a wide range of imaging research applications. By reducing time of scanning and reconstruction as well as automating for up to 32 sample batch scanning, investigators will be able to address important issues such as scientific rigor and reproducibility. Being able to analyze a greater number of samples in a shorter period of time with a higher resolution (2µM vs 10.5µM) will allow bone specimens to more quickly move toward histological tissue analysis and prevent the bottle neck of microCT analysis that currently exists. This technology can be applied to various other imaging needs with the use of contrast agents and will broadly benefit our investigators in the aging and arthritis. An advanced microCT imaging system such as this is not available for research use at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System or at either of the affiliate institutions, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Thus, this unique local resource will provide new technology that can be applied to a wide variety of imaging needs, which will broadly benefit VA investigators in the aging, arthritis, cancer, immunology, and neuroscience research fields. Specifically, this instrument will be used by four major users and two minor users who combined have five funded VA Merit grants, as well as a number of future users. The instrument will also benefit two newly established Collaborative Merit Awards and two additional VA Merits focused on preclinical models of osteoarthritis.