Wissenschaftskolloquium

14.07.
Large-scale digitization of insect morphology: recent advances in synchrotron X-ray imaging and data analysis
Dr. Thomas van de Kamp, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Modern X-ray imaging techniques such as micro-CT provide fascinating insights into insect morphology. However, compared to the vast amount of genetic data collected, comparative micro-CT data lags behind. However, the analysis of a broad diversity of complete, external and internal anatomies in 3D is essential for understanding important morphological features and evolutionary adaptations.

KIT's X-ray imaging stations at the KIT Light Source and PETRA III are optimized for fast X-ray imaging. Equipped with a high-speed detector systems and sample changing robots, our high-throughput micro-CT setups are among the fastest in the world, allowing large numbers of insects to be scanned in a short time. Experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of the method for digitizing and performing 3D analysis of both important specimens and extensive scientific collections, including extant and fossil insects. The talk will present recent results, including our most ambitious large-scale project to date: the ANTSCAN initiative, a collaboration between KIT and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) with partners from museums around the world, which has allowed us to rapidly capture phenotypes across the ant tree of life.

Furthermore, the talk will highlight advances in large-scale data analysis through semi-automated image segmentation and the application of artificial intelligence for fully automated analysis. It will also provide an outlook on our new methodological developments and present first results of synchrotron X-ray micro-laminography, a special form of micro-CT dedicated to laterally extended objects such as insect compression fossils.

As usual, we will also broadcast via zoom for those who can not join in person: https://zoom.us/j/94510498226

Zum Online-Vortrag