The NOVA project - maximizing beamtime efficiency through synergistic analyses of SRμCT data

Abstract

Beamtime and resulting SRμCT data are a valuable resource for researchers of a broad scientific community working with tomographic data. Most research groups, however areonly interested in a specific organ and thus use only a fraction of their data. The rest of the data usually remains untapped. By using a new collaborative approach, the NOVAproject (Network for Online Visualization and synergistic Analysis of tomographic data) aims to create possibilities, that allow for a more efficient use of the valuable beam timethrough the coordination of research on different organ systems. The biological partners in the project cover different scientific aspects and thus serve as model community for thecollaborative approach. As prove of principle, different aspects of insect head morphology will be investigated (e.g., biomechanics of the mouthparts and neurobiology with thetopology of sensory areas). This effort is accomplished by development of advanced analysis tools for the ever-increasing quantity of tomographic datasets. In the precedingproject ASTOR, we already successfully demonstrated considerable progress in semiautomatic segmentation and classification of internal structures. Further improvement ofthese methods is essential for an efficient use of beamtime and will be refined in this project. Significant enhancements are also planned at the PETRA III instrumentation(phase contrast), on the reconstruction algorithms (based on intensity as well as absorption), and the tools for subsequent analyses and management of the data. Allimprovements made on key technologies within this project will be equally beneficial for all users of tomography instrumentations