European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit c/o DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.
J Cell Sci. 2024 Oct 15;137(20). doi: 10.1242/jcs.261953. Epub 2024 Oct 23.
Synchrotron-based tomographic phase-contrast X-ray imaging (SRµCT or SRnCT) is a versatile isotropic three-dimensional imaging technique that can be used to study biological samples spanning from single cells to human-sized specimens. SRµCT and SRnCT take advantage of the highly brilliant and coherent X-rays produced by a synchrotron light source. This enables fast data acquisition and enhanced image contrast for soft biological samples owing to the exploitation of phase contrast. In this Review, we provide an overview of the basics behind the technique, discuss its applications for biologists and provide an outlook on the future of this emerging technique for biology. We introduce the latest advances in the field, such as whole human organs imaged with micron resolution, using X-rays as a tool for virtual histology and resolving neuronal connections in the brain.
基于同步加速器的断层相位对比 X 射线成像（SRµCT 或 SRnCT）是一种多功能各向同性三维成像技术，可用于研究从单细胞到人类大小的生物样本。SRµCT 和 SRnCT 利用同步加速器光源产生的高亮度和相干 X 射线。这使得能够快速获取数据并增强软生物样本的图像对比度，因为利用了相位对比。在这篇综述中，我们提供了该技术背后的基础知识概述，讨论了它在生物学家中的应用，并展望了这种新兴技术在生物学中的未来。我们介绍了该领域的最新进展，例如使用 X 射线作为虚拟组织学工具，以微米分辨率成像整个人体器官，并在大脑中解析神经元连接。
