3D X-RAY PHASE CONTRAST MICROSCOPE FOR SUBMICRON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGICAL IMAGING

 描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议购买蔡司Xradia 520 Versa 3D X射线显微镜（XRM）。这是一种最先进的成像系统，用于生物组织的非破坏性、亚微米分辨率、高对比度、3D X射线计算机断层扫描成像。在我们的机构（华盛顿大学）和我们的州（密苏里州）都没有类似的系统。我们已经在我们的机构召集了一个由19名主要和次要用户组成的小组，他们的研究目前受到缺乏具有Xradia 520 Versa功能的仪器的限制。他们的研究计划将大大受益于当地获得这一工具。这些用户得到了来自六个研究所（NCI，NHLBI，NIA，NIAMS，NICDH，NIGMS）的44个现有NIH研究赠款的支持，每年直接费用总计960万美元。该仪器将位于华盛顿大学肌肉骨骼研究中心，并通过现有的肌肉骨骼结构和力量核心（MSSC; MJ Silva，主任）进行管理。MSSC是由NIH P30核心中心资助（AR 057235）支持的服务和咨询核心。增加拟议的仪器将提高核心的技术能力，并为华盛顿大学的生物医学研究界提供最先进的XRM成像。主要和次要用户的研究项目集中在与许多健康状况相关的基础和临床前研究，包括骨质疏松症，关节炎癌症，心血管疾病，脊柱侧凸和骨折愈合。通常需要对模型生物体（例如，小鼠、斑马鱼），所提出的仪器将提供。该仪器的成像应用包括：骨孔隙度;骨折愈合和转移性肿瘤中的血管分布;关节软骨和关节组织;骨微损伤;脂肪组织;骨骼、心脏和肺发育。该工具将允许用户评估我们目前无法评估的结果（例如，骨细胞陷窝数量、关节软骨厚度、微血管体积、脂肪细胞体积），并且利用3D体积的无偏差采样来进行。最后，拟议的仪器将加强华盛顿大学的生物医学研究基础设施，提供我们校园内没有的最先进的成像，并加快与健康相关的研究项目的步伐。这与华盛顿大学的长期目标和使命是一致的。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to purchase a ZEISS Xradia 520 Versa 3D X-ray microscope (XRM). This is a state-of-the-art imaging system for non-destructive, submicron resolution, high-contrast, 3D X- ray computed tomography imaging of biological tissues. There is no comparable system at our institution (Washington University) nor in our state (Missouri). We have assembled a group of 19 Major and Minor Users at our institution whose research is currently limited by lack of an instrument with the features of the Xradia 520 Versa. Their research programs will benefit greatly from local access to this instrument. These users are supported by 44 current NIH research grants from six institutes (NCI, NHLBI, NIA, NIAMS, NICDH, NIGMS), totaling $9.6 million direct costs/year. The instrument will be located in the Washington University Musculoskeletal Research Center, and managed through the existing Musculoskeletal Structure and Strength Core (MSSC; MJ Silva, Director). The MSSC is a service and consultation core supported by an NIH P30 Core Center grant (AR057235). Addition of the proposed instrument will enhance the technical capabilities of the core and provide access to state-of-the-art XRM imaging to the biomedical research community at Washington University. The research projects of the Major and Minor Users are focused on basic and pre-clinical studies related to many health conditions, including osteoporosis, arthritis cancer, cardiovascular disease, scoliosis and fracture healing. A common need is for high-resolution, high-contrast, non-destructive imaging of model organisms (e.g., mouse, zebrafish), which the proposed instrument will deliver. Imaging applications of the instrument include: bone porosity; vascularity in fracture healing and metastatic tumors; articular cartilage and joint tissues; bone microdamage; adipose tissue; skeletal, cardiac and lung development. The instrument will allow the users to assess outcomes that currently we cannot assess (e.g., osteocyte lacunar number, articular cartilage thickness, microvascular vessel volume, adipocyte volume) and to do so with non-biased sampling of 3D volumes. In closing, the proposed instrument will enhance the biomedical research infrastructure at Washington University, provide access to state-of-the-art imaging not available on our campus, and accelerate the pace of health-related research projects. This is consistent with the long-term goals and mission of Washington University.