LifeWatchGreece MicroCT vLab

LifeWatchGreece MicroCT vLab provides high-resolution X-ray micro-CT imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction of biological specimens for non-destructive morphological characterization and quantitative comparative analyses.

Key Features:

• Non-Destructive 3D Imaging: Generates accurate 3D reconstructions from series of X-ray projection images while preserving specimens, enabling internal and external morphological study.
• Sub-micron Resolution: Acquires micro-CT data at sub-micron resolution to resolve fine internal structures.
• Virtual Micro-CT Laboratory (Micro-CT_vlab): Provides a computational environment for handling large micro-CT datasets and for visualization and manipulation of 3D datasets.
• Interactive 3D Analysis: Enables virtual dissection and supports qualitative and quantitative analyses of 3D models.

Scientific Applications:

• Functional Morphology: Supports analysis of form-function relationships using detailed internal and external 3D morphology from micro-CT scans.
• Taxonomy: Aids species identification and morphological character description through precise 3D morphological datasets.
• Evolutionary Biology: Facilitates comparative morphological studies across taxa to investigate evolutionary changes and adaptations.
• Developmental Research: Enables non-destructive observation of internal developmental stages and growth patterns in specimens.

Methodology:

Captures series of X-ray projection images using micro-CT and processes them into high-resolution three-dimensional models.