microfocus computed-tomography scanner (Micro CT scanner)

• Subject Area: Zoology
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 458465987

Microfocus computed-tomography (Micro CT) dramatically alters our understanding of biological structures and revolutionized morphological research. The X-ray based assessment of bony structures in medical CT applications has long been established. Currently, however, we witness an explosive extension of X-ray based techniques to the analysis of all kinds of biological (soft) tissues as a result of constant advances in Micro CT instrumentation, development and refinement of staining techniques, and progress in interactive and (semi-)automated image analysis and visualization. With this application, several workgroups aim to acquire a state of the art Micro CT scanner at the HU Berlin to harvest such advances and secure a position of Humboldt researchers at the forefront of comparative anatomy and functional morphology. It is our goal to use Micro CT imaging to investigate the morphological basis of a broad range of evolutionary, physiological, developmental, and behavioural phenomena central to modern organismal biology.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Mikrofocus Computertomograph (Micro CT)
• Instrumentation Group: 3230 Tomographie- und Schichtgeräte (Röntgen-)
• Applicant Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Leader: Professor Dr. John A. Nyakatura