We are pleased to announce that we have received funding for a Bruker SkyScan 1172 ex vivo microCT scanner though a Tulane School of Medicine Equipment Grant in the amount of $65,613. The purchase of this equipment is made possible through additional funding from Dr. Mimi Sammarco, Junior Investigator on Aging COBRE grant P20GM103629, Dr. Bruce Bunnell in the Tulane Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and the Tulane Department of Surgery. Micro computed tomography or “microCT” is X-Ray imaging in 3 dimensions, as seen with CT scans in clinic, but with vastly superior resolution. MicroCT utilizes differences in X-Ray attenuation properties to generate detailed pictures that illustrate differences in density, making it ideal for imaging of bone, cartilage, soft tissues, teeth, fat, lung, scaffolding, composites, and metals. 3D imaging of vasculature, bone, and tissue offers deeper analysis of samples and can guide more refined histochemical analysis by identifying the target area for sectioning or analysis. MicroCT imaging can be used without the addition of other reagents and is able to detect differences such as those that exist between calcified bone and cartilage. MicroCT imaging can also be expanded far beyond high density scans such as bone by using contrast agents that have been developed to provide specific soft tissue contrast.
The acquisition of this equipment at Tulane makes it the only accessible microCT scanner in the region and is anticipated to leverage the work of many researchers at multiple institutions here in the Greater New Orleans region. The scanner will be housed at the Tulane Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine at the Tulane School of Medicine in the JBJ building and will accessed by both Tulane researchers and external researchers using the Center’s core facility. Please contact Dr. Mimi Sammarco at msammarc@tulane.edu for information about using the Bruker SkyScan 1172 ex vivo microCT scanner with "microCT" in the subject line.
