title: Micro-CTvlab: A web based virtual gallery of biological specimens using X-ray microtomography (micro-CT).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During recent years, X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) has seen an increasing use in biological research areas, such as functional morphology, taxonomy, evolutionary biology and developmental research. Micro-CT is a technology which uses X-rays to create sub-micron resolution images of external and internal features of specimens. These images can then be rendered in a three-dimensional space and used for qualitative and quantitative 3D analyses. However, the online exploration and dissemination of micro-CT datasets are rarely made available to the public due to their large size and a lack of dedicated online platforms for the interactive manipulation of 3D data. Here, the development of a virtual micro-CT laboratory (Micro-CTvlab) is described, which can be used by everyone who is interested in digitisation methods and biological collections and aims at making the micro-CT data exploration of natural history specimens freely available over the internet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Micro-CTvlaboffers to the user virtual image galleries of various taxa which can be displayed and downloaded through a web application. With a few clicks, accurate, detailed and three-dimensional models of species can be studied and virtually dissected without destroying the actual specimen. The data and functions of the Micro-CTvlabcan be accessed either on a normal computer or through a dedicated version for mobile devices.
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Kleoniki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keklikoglou
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faulwetter
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chatzinikolaou
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikitas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Michalakis
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Filiopoulou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Science and Technology Park of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minadakis
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Emmanouela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panteri
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perantinos
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gougousis
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Gouves, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arvanitidis
keywords: 3D visualisation; cyberspecimens; digitised collections; micro-CT; virtual galleries; virtual lab