Micro-CTvlab: A web based virtual gallery of biological specimens using X-ray microtomography (micro-CT).

Kleoniki Keklikoglou,Irene Filiopoulou,Christos Arvanitidis,Nikitas Michalakis,George Perantinos,Eva Chatzinikolaou,Alexandros Gougousis,Sarah Faulwetter,Nikos Minadakis,Emmanouela Panteri

doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e8740

Abstract

BackgroundDuring recent years, X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) has seen an increasing use in biological research areas, such as functional morphology, taxonomy, evolutionary biology and developmental research. Micro-CT is a technology which uses X-rays to create sub-micron resolution images of external and internal features of specimens. These images can then be rendered in a three-dimensional space and used for qualitative and quantitative 3D analyses. However, the online exploration and dissemination of micro-CT datasets are rarely made available to the public due to their large size and a lack of dedicated online platforms for the interactive manipulation of 3D data. Here, the development of a virtual micro-CT laboratory (Micro-CTvlab) is described, which can be used by everyone who is interested in digitisation methods and biological collections and aims at making the micro-CT data exploration of natural history specimens freely available over the internet.New informationThe Micro-CTvlab offers to the user virtual image galleries of various taxa which can be displayed and downloaded through a web application. With a few clicks, accurate, detailed and three-dimensional models of species can be studied and virtually dissected without destroying the actual specimen. The data and functions of the Micro-CTvlab can be accessed either on a normal computer or through a dedicated version for mobile devices.

Highlights

X-ray microtomography is a non-destructive X-ray imaging technology which creates high-resolution three-dimensional data
Micro-CT has been increasingly used in several biological research fields, such as taxonomy (e.g. Faulwetter et al 2013, Stoev et al 2013, Fernández et al 2014, Akkari et al 2015), evolutionary and developmental research (e.g. Marxen et al 2007, Metscher 2009, O’Connor et al 2010) and functional morphology (e.g. Nickel et al 2006, Curtis et al 2009, Wojcieszek et al 2012, Schulz-Mirbach et al 2013, Paterson et al 2014)
This imaging technology gives the user the option to visualise both external and internal characteristics of a specimen, to rotate and virtually dissect the resulting three-dimensional (3D) representation, as well as to perform 3D measurements and analyses. It seems that staining with heavy metals, which is often used in micro-CT studies to increase tissue contrast, do not cause any irreversible changes to the morphology of the specimen

Summary

Background

X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) has seen an increasing use in biological research areas, such as functional morphology, taxonomy, evolutionary biology and developmental research. Micro-CT is a technology which uses X-rays to create submicron resolution images of external and internal features of specimens. These images can be rendered in a three-dimensional space and used for qualitative and quantitative 3D analyses. Interested in digitisation methods and biological collections and aims at making the microCT data exploration of natural history specimens freely available over the internet. The Micro-CTvlab offers to the user virtual image galleries of various taxa which can be displayed and downloaded through a web application. The data and functions of the Micro-CTvlab can be accessed either on a normal computer or through a dedicated version for mobile devices. Keywords micro-CT, virtual lab, 3D visualisation, virtual galleries, cyberspecimens, digitised collections

Introduction

Conclusions and Future Scenario