Micro CT and Skeletal Research Facility

Photo of a skeleton on blue background

Aerial photo of Health Science Campus

Micro CT and Skeletal Research Resource Core, led by Dr. Piotr Czernik, assists researchers with comprehensive analysis of bone structure, imaging and quantification of lipids in bone marrow and soft tissue samples, in vivo assessment of body composition, bone mineral density and bone mineral content in small rodents. The facility is equipped with a Scanco μCT 35 x-ray scanner, an HP Integrity rx2660 workstation dedicated to image acquisition, processing, and analysis, and a GE Lunar PIXImus II dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) system.

Volumetric imaging of bone and subsequent 3D image analysis allows for the quantitative assessment of a variety of structural properties including micro architecture, geometric parameters, volumes of individual compartments, distribution of bone mineral density, and alterations of bone structure induced by physical, pharmacological, or biological factors.

Standardized protocols for typical studies are listed below; customized procedures suited for unique projects can be developed upon request.

Morphometric analysis of trabecular and cortical bone in rodents
Morphometric analysis of human and large animal bones, cores and biopsies
Analysis of bone injury healing in animal models
Assessment of porosity in cortical bone
Distribution and quantification of lipid content in bone marrow and soft tissue
Computation of cross-sectional geometry of long bone
Assessment of osseointegration and resorption of bone artificial implants and cements
Preparation of publication quality images, videos, and STL surface models

The facility renders conventional and customized approaches to 3D imaging and analysis of a variety of specimens and provides assistance in experimental design.