With X-ray into the third dimension

Microscopic computed tomography (microCT)

Abstract

Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (MicroCT) is a tomographic imaging technique for high-resolution 3D visualization and quantitative analysis of samples. Whereas twenty years ago this technique was considered to be exotic within biological and biomedical basic research and was hardly ever used, it is thought to be indispensable in these fields of research today. The present article focuses on both basic technical principles and application fields of microCT for the science of biology. Furthermore, it discusses some practical aspects important for researchers and institutions planning to establish a microCT setup in their labs.