High-resolution ex vivo microCT for biomedical imaging

项目摘要 这一应用程序的目标是取代已有14年历史的基本体内MicroCT成像系统 西雅图儿童研究所(SCRI)拥有最先进的Bruker Skyscan 1272高分辨率3D EX 活体MicroCT成像系统。这一仪器需要进行各种研究项目，这些项目 需要大规模(整个生物体/器官)和微观尺度的成像。此成像资源 将支持11个主要用户和4个次要用户围绕三个交叉研究主题开展的活动：(1) 影响多个器官的人类先天性综合征潜在的基因突变，(2)发育和 血管系统的病理学，(3)缺血损伤或损伤后组织再生的机制，以及(4)基础 骨生物学和重塑的研究。由18笔资金和4笔待批NIH赠款组成的投资组合，以及 来自NSF等其他联邦机构的资金目前支持这些项目。这项令人兴奋的新技术 允许用户从MicroCT成像和样本的技术改进中获益 过去十年的准备工作。如我们的试验数据所示，使用新的体外系统，我们将能够成像 分辨率更高、图像质量和清晰度更好的组织，与我们目前的生命终点相比 乐器。此外，一些列出的项目涉及乏味的表型屏幕，这些屏幕已经 受制于我们现有系统的手动样品导航和数据采集。使用自动化的 样品转换器和基于样品的自动确定最佳设置的控制软件 尺寸，建议的设备将帮助我们的用户克服这些问题，并实现更高的 分析吞吐量，同时获得更高质量的数据。有强大的机构承诺， 仪器，包括最先进的成像空间、服务合同覆盖范围、维护人员 至少前5年的工作、备份数据存储和3-D图像分析资源。而SCRI和 华盛顿大学的调查人员构成了主要的用户群体，这些仪器将是可以访问的 其他来自联合机构的调查人员，如弗雷德·哈钦森癌症研究中心，研究所 为系统生物学和其他学科创造了一个独特而有价值的社区资源，供从宏观到 显微成像。此外，SCRI中心拥有广泛的成像专业知识，将 容纳和支持该设备(PI、MAGA、Co-I、Shih和Yu)。这将指导正确使用、分配时间和 仪器的维护。这种成像资源会立即影响生产效率和 对正在进行的工作的创新，将是推动生物医学长期目标的关键 大西雅图地区的社区。

Project Summary The goal of this application is to replace an essential, 14 year old in-vivo microCT imaging system at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI) with a state-of-the-art Bruker Skyscan 1272 high-resolution 3D ex- vivo microCT imaging system. This instrument is required to conduct a diversity of research projects, which require imaging both at large-scale (whole organisms/organs) and microscopic-scale. This imaging resource will support the activities of 11 major and 4 minor users focused on three cross-cutting research themes: (1) Genetic mutations underlying human congenital syndromes that affect multiple organs, (2) development and pathology of vasculature, (3) mechanisms of tissue regeneration after ischemic damage or injury, and (4) basic research in bone biology and remodeling. A portfolio of 18 funded and 4 pending NIH grants, as well as funding from other federal agencies like NSF currently supports these projects. This exciting new technology allow users to rake benefits from the technological improvements introduced to microCT imaging and sample preparation in the last decade. As shown in our pilot data, with the new ex-vivo system we will be able to image tissues with higher resolution, with better image quality and clarity compared to our current end-of-life instrument. Further, some of the listed projects involve tedious phenotypic screens, which have been hampered by the manual sample navigation and data acquisition with our existing system. With an automated sample changer and a control software that automatically determines the optimal settings, based specimen dimensions, the proposed equipment will help our users overcome these problems, and achieve higher analytical throughput, while obtaining better quality data. There is strong Institutional commitment for the instrument, including state-of-the-art imaging space, coverage of service contracts, maintenance personnel effort in at least the first 5 years, backed-up data storage, and 3-D image analysis resources. While SCRI and University of Washington investigators comprise the main user group, these instruments would be accessible to other investigators from allied institutions such as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Institutes for Systems Biology and others, creating a unique and valuable community resource for macroscopic-to- microscopic imaging. In addition, there is extensive imaging expertise present at the SCRI Center that will house and support the device (PI, Maga, Co-I, Shih and Yu). This will guide the proper use, time allocation and maintenance of the instrument. This imaging resource would immediately influence the productivity and innovation of ongoing work and will be critical in furthering the long-range objectives of the biomedical community in the greater Seattle area.