# Core-001: mCT Imaging Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $134,644

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract for µCT Imaging Core 
 The development of high-resolution micro-CT (µCT) during the past two decades has revolutionized the 
quantitative assessment of calcified and X-ray dense tissue morphology. With the capability of non-destructive, 
three-dimensional (3D) visualization of tissue structure, µCT has largely supplanted traditional 
histomorphometry and become a gold standard for calcified tissue density and microstructure evaluation for 
many measures. Due to the low intrinsic X-ray contrast of non-mineralized tissues, traditional applications of 
µCT in musculoskeletal research have been limited to mineralized tissue. However, the development of 
contrast-enhanced imaging methods has greatly broadened applications of µCT to include musculoskeletal 
soft tissues as well. These cutting-edge image-based quantification methods not only enable characterization 
of soft-tissue morphology, but some also yield insight into tissue composition, such as glycosaminoglycan 
(GAG) density, which is associated with soft-tissue function and mechanics. Another important advance in the 
past decade is in vivo µCT imaging of living small animals. Research of musculoskeletal tissue injury and 
repair has been progressively utilizing animal models of human disease. Unlike many assays that require 
sacrificing the animal to extract tissues for analysis, in vivo µCT enables longitudinal evaluation of changes in a 
particular animal non-invasively over time. This new imaging strategy minimizes the number of animals 
required while enhancing statistical power. With these developments, µCT can now provide a deep and 
quantitative understanding of the genetic influences on the skeleton, as well as remodeling events in hard and 
soft tissues during repair, treatment, and with altered loading scenarios. Further, a µCT modality for clinical 
imaging of calcified tissue microstructure, called high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT), has 
recently been developed. This technology inaugurated a new era of non-invasive quantitative skeletal imaging, 
and has become a powerful tool for clinical research of musculoskeletal disorders. The overall objective of the 
µCTIC is to offer a wide range of µCT imaging approaches to evaluate musculoskeletal tissue injury and repair, 
and to provide training and consultation for new projects and collaborations utilizing these assays. The Specific 
Aims for the µCTIC are: 1) To provide guidance and expertise on the use of µCT imaging for musculoskeletal 
research through educational enrichment programs and one-on-one interactions, 2) To provide a range of µCT 
imaging resources, expertise, and services for the study of the structure, function and physiology of the 
musculoskeletal system in laboratory animals and humans, 3) To develop new µCT imaging-based techniques 
that will be applicable to musculoskeletal research, and 4) To provide funding for the development of new 
projects and collaborations and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9968019
- **Project number:** 5P30AR069619-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Xiaowei Sherry Liu
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $134,644
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9968019

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9968019, Core-001: mCT Imaging Core (5P30AR069619-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9968019. Licensed CC0.

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