Objective and Mission

The primary missions of the MicroCT/Histology subcore are to provide state-of-the-art three-dimensional ex vivo imaging using microCT, a non-destructive x-ray based imaging modality and to provide histology services. The specimens for MicroCT must have inherent radio opacity (e.g., bone) or can be rendered radio-opaque (e.g., by the use of contrast agents).

Services

• Ex vivo x-ray micro computed tomographic scanning of specimens measuring no more than 35 mm in diameter and 70 mm in length
• 3-D reconstructions of scanned objects
• 3-D quantification of bone architecture and density
• Images (slices) can be exported
• Hard tissue (undecalcified) histology, including metal implants
• Decalcified histology of bone and soft tissues, including immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization

Example applications of microCT (often with corresponding histology)

• Bone defect healing
• Fracture healing
• The bone-implant interface
• Cortical and trabecular bone architecture and bone density in transgenic or mutant mice and models of metabolic bone disease
• Vascular patterns (after appropriate perfusion)
• Cartilage morphology and proteoglycan content (under development)

Resources (Instrumentation and Software)

• Desktop cone-beam microCT scanner (Scanco model 40)
• Microfocus x-ray source (5-7 ?m spot size) which can operate between 55 and 90 kVp
• Detector with 2048 by 256 elements
• Nominal best resolution of 6 ?m with a real resolution of 9 ?m
• Reconstructed image matrix of either 1024 X 1024 or 2048 X 2048
• Field of view up to 37 mm and maximum scan length of 7 cm
• HP Integrity rx2620 Dual Core (2x2) CPU, with 24 GB RAM, 2 x 146 GB U320 SCSI internal disk drives and a 20" monitor clustered with a HP DS20 Workstation [2 x 1.4 Ghz Alpha processors] with a 20" monitor
• HP External Disk Tower and RAID controller with 12 300 GB SCSI disks
• HP SDLT 300/600 backup tape drive
• Networked HP Color LaserJet printer
• Open VMS operating system, with complete imaging software for data acquisition, online/offline reconstruction, 3D visualization and animation, as well as 2D and 3D trabecular bone histomorphometry
• Database for tracking specimen processing and archiving and the histomorphometric data can be readily downloaded to spreadsheets or statistical packages
• Faxitron x-ray cabinet (Model MX-20)
• Saws (Buehler Isomet 5000, Exakt 310CP band saw, Shopmaster band saw), grinder/polisher (Buehler Phoenix 5000), microtome (Leica), embedding equipment for hard and soft tissue histology

Contact Information (for pricing not included on price lists, contact Dr. Sumner or Dr. Sena)

Ryan Ross, PhD
Research coordinator for microCT and hard tissue histology
E-mail: ryan_ross@rush.edu
(312) 563-2697

Rick Sumner, PhD
Facilitator for microCT and hard tissue histology
E-mail: rick_sumner@rush.edu
(312) 942-5501

Kotaro Sena, DDS, PhD
Facilitator for soft tissue and decalcified hard tissue histology
E-mail: kotaro_sena@rush.edu
(312) 942-5548

David Karwo, BS
Lead technician for soft tissue and decalcified hard tissue histology
E-mail: david_karwo@rush.edu
(312) 563-3208

Lab locations: Armour Academic Facility 506B (microCT, histology)

Publications: Acknowledgement Statement

As appropriate, please acknowledge in all publications the microCT/histology subcore for providing the use of instrumentation and assistance in conducting your studies.

Publications: Reprints

The microCT/histology subcore would appreciate a copy (hard or electronic) of each research publication that utilized this core facility.