| Project Detail |
In the last 20 years, phase-contrast x-ray imaging has evolved from first proof-of-principle experiments with relatively poor contrast, to a mature research field with many branches. Standing on the shoulders of scientific achievements and technological development, the time has come where virtual histology for biomedical applications is within reach. The aim of this research project is to design and construct a prototype x-ray microscope for three-dimensional histology.
In the clinics we are used to non-invasive three-dimensional image modalities such as e.g. computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ability to visualise and track structures through a volume is extremely valuable for the purpose of diagnosis.
But for microscopy of tissue biopsies, our golden standard is histological procedures involving thin slicing of the tissue before imaging in a microscope, rendering volumetric interpretation very difficult of not impossible.
With the proposed phase-contrast micro-CT scanner, tissue samples can be imaged in three dimensions such that the computer rendering of the sample can be sliced in any arbitrary plane, and we have the possibility of volumetric data analysis. In this fashion, useful volumetric information can be extracted for various applications in biomedical research.
As a direct application, we will use this 3D Histology setup to obtain detailed volumetric understanding of the development of lung lesions, and complement with gold standard microscopy techniques.
A lab-based setup for virtual histology will allow full studies of disease pathologies with statistical significance and make optimisation of experimental protocols possible.
For achieve the goal of soft tissue micro-CT, we will implement a novel inverse-geometry single-grating interferometer. When combined with state-of-the-art detector and source technology a scanner for high-resolution phase-contrast tomography of soft tissue will be realised. |
