Myoanatomy of the velvet worm leg revealed by laboratory-based nanofocus X-ray source tomography

Mueller M, Oliveira IDS, Allner S, Ferstl S, Bidola P, Mechlem K, Fehringer A, Hehn L, Dierolf M, Achterhold K, Gleich B, Hammel JU, Jahn H, Mayer G, Pfeiffer F (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America National Academy of Sciences

Book Volume: 114

Pages Range: 12378-12383

Journal Issue: 47

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710742114

Abstract

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful noninvasive technique for investigating the inner structure of objects and organisms. However, the resolution of laboratory CT systems is typically limited to the micrometer range. In this paper, we present a table-top nanoCT system in conjunction with standard processing tools that is able to routinely reach resolutions down to 100 nm without using X-ray optics. We demonstrate its potential for biological investigations by imaging a walking appendage of Euperipatoides rowelli, a representative of Onychophora—an invertebrate group pivotal for understanding animal evolution. Comparative analyses proved that the nanoCT can depict the external morphology of the limb with an image quality similar to scanning electron microscopy, while simultaneously visualizing internal muscular structures at higher resolutions than confocal laser scanning microscopy. The obtained nanoCT data revealed hitherto unknown aspects of the onychophoran limb musculature, enabling the 3D reconstruction of individual muscle fibers, which was previously impossible using any laboratory-based imaging technique.

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE) Universität Kassel DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH (HZG) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Mueller, M., Oliveira, I.D.S., Allner, S., Ferstl, S., Bidola, P., Mechlem, K.,... Pfeiffer, F. (2017). Myoanatomy of the velvet worm leg revealed by laboratory-based nanofocus X-ray source tomography. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(47), 12378-12383. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1710742114

MLA:

Mueller, Mark, et al. "Myoanatomy of the velvet worm leg revealed by laboratory-based nanofocus X-ray source tomography." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 114.47 (2017): 12378-12383.

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