Project Details
Projekt
X-ray nanotomography (NanoCT) system
Subject Area
Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term
Funded in 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563744202
In the current proposal, we are applying for the funding of a high-resolution X-ray nanotomography (NanoCT) system for the Institute of Functional Anatomy at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Core Facility for Electron Microscopy (CFEM) at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging and visualization of anatomical and biological structures is a central component of modern biomedical research and diagnostics. 3D imaging allows capturing structures and their connections in their spatial complexity and advances our understanding of structure-function relationships in biological systems. Technological advancements in biomedical imaging have continuously expanded the possibilities for non-destructive imaging of biological structures in their topographical context at the highest possible resolution. A wide range of complementary techniques are available that vary in terms of sample volume and resolution. The advent of X-ray tomography systems has enabled now resolutions below 1 µm, a capability that distinguishes NanoCTs from MicroCTs, which are associated with a lower resolution. For instance, a NanoCT enables the comprehensive 3D examination of murine organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and heart, with a voxel resolution of up to 3 µm. For smaller samples or virtual organ sections, a 3D resolution of less than 500 nm can even be achieved. Thereby, microscopic details in large sample volumes can be displayed in definable virtual sections or 3D reconstructions. This makes the technology especially appealing for correlative microscopic workflows. For example, NanoCT could enable a fast and non-destructive identification of detailed structures of interest in pre-embedded samples, which can then be subjected to further examination using higher-resolution microscopy methods (e.g., electron microscopy (EM)). Another promising field of application is the combination of NanoCT with 3D-EM (e.g., serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) or electron tomography (ET)), as the methods are compatible in terms of sample preparation and provide highly comparable structural information in their respective resolution ranges. The NanoCT system will be available to all interested users via the Core Facility for Electron Microscopy (CFEM) at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Professional support will be provided by employees of the CFEM and the Institute of Functional Anatomy and access will be facilitated to all interested working groups after instruction and in accordance with the CFEM user regulations. The NanoCT device will also be integrated into the research infrastructure of the Berlin University Alliance (BUA; Alliance Center Electron Microscopy (ACEM)).
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Röntgen-Nanotomographiegerät (NanoCT)
Instrumentation Group
3230 Tomographie- und Schichtgeräte (Röntgen-)
Applicant Institution
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
