title: Optimization of volumetric computed tomography for skeletal analysis of model genetic organisms.
abstract: Forward and reverse genetics now allow researchers to understand embryonic and postnatal gene function in a broad range of species. Although some genetic mutations cause obvious morphological change, other mutations can be more subtle and, without adequate observation and quantification, might be overlooked. For the increasing number of genetic model organisms examined by the growing field of phenomics, standardized but sensitive methods for quantitative analysis need to be incorporated into routine practice to effectively acquire and analyze ever-increasing quantities of phenotypic data. In this study, we present platform-independent parameters for the use of microscopic x-ray computed tomography (microCT) for phenotyping species-specific skeletal morphology of a variety of different genetic model organisms. We show that microCT is suitable for phenotypic characterization for prenatal and postnatal specimens across multiple species.
authors.affiliation: Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
authors.forename: Sergio X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Ali N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Bahadur
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hockin
authors.forename: Gordon L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Kindlmann
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nevell
authors.forename: Isabel Q
authors.initials: IQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Grunwald
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: Greg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vandeberg
authors.forename: Mario R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Capecchi
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004372:Ducks / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005823:Genetics; D007900:Lemur / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy; D023421:Models, Animal; D010641:Phenotype; D012863:Skeleton; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000033:anatomy & histology