Tomography Support Center
The Tomography Support Center is a newly established hub for all questions about tomography and imaging in your research, with a specialization in MicroCT and synchrotron tomography.
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About us
We are here to support and assist researchers looking to expand or enhance their research with tomographic data.
We help to introduce and facilitate the application of tomographic scanning techniques to more research fields, as well as make the methods and results understandable to inexperienced users from various backgrounds.
What is tomography?
Tomography is an imaging technique used to look through objects or samples. Usually, a stack of cross-sectional images is produced, after which techniques like volume rendering can be used to reconstruct the object or sample in 3D. Different tomography methods exist, the most famous ones being Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). In research, both academic and industrial, synchrotron radiation tomography has also taken an important position to obtain and analyse data.
Our experience
We have extensive experience generating tomographic data in collaboration with a range of facilities, and processing/analysing these data in Uppsala using the infrastructure we have built up in our lab. This ranges from MicroCT scanning to synchrotron tomography. Initially our program focused purely on palaeontology, but currently our tomographic work also covers developmental biology and comparative anatomy, and is yielding spectacular results in all these disciplines.
On our program website you can see how we have used these techniques in our own fields. https://www.uu.se/en/department/organismal-biology/research/evolution-and-development
Interested?
We offer support in a range of fields, from palaeontology, biology, and medical samples, to archaeology and art history. Please contact us if you are interested, even outside of these fields, for an informative meeting.
Our services
We offer a range of services, to assist entirely new users, as well as facilitate easier research and data analysis for more experienced researchers with our dedicated computers and software.
Consulting on the feasibility to implement tomography techniques in users’ research
Helping users identify appropriate synchrotron beamlines and contact the beamline scientists to discuss experiment setup
Consulting on proposal preparation for users applying for beamtime at synchrotron facilities
Process scanning data into appropriate formats
Consulting on choosing appropriate segmentation software, depending on the scan data
Training users in data segmentation, helping troubleshoot, or even perform complete data segmentation
Helping users create publication quality images and animations in dedicated rendering software
Assisting with the creation of 3D prints, in collaboration with EBC Makerspace
Who are we?
Sifra Bijl
I am a PhD student at the Department of Organismal Biology, in the Evolution and Development Program.
My own research focusses on fossil bone histology, microanatomy, and microstructures across extinct and extant tetrapods using multimodal imaging; specialized in synchrotron CT.
Donglei Chen
I am a researcher at the Department of Organismal Biology, in the Evolution and Development Program.
My own research focuses on the patterning, growth history, and cell biology of teeth, exoskeletons, and skin in extinct and extant vertebrates using 3D sub-micron microtomography
Upcoming Events
Tomo center outreach day
21st of May
Speakers and workshops
CBA day
20th of May
https://www.uu.se/en/centre/image-analysis/cba-day/cba-day-2025
Contact
Visiting address: Norbyvägen 18A, floor 1, Uppsala
Featured research
These projects include data processed at our program
a. Qvarnström, Martin, et al. "Synchrotron phase-contrast microtomography of coprolites generates novel palaeobiological data." Scientific Reports 7.1 (2017): 2723.
b. Chen, Donglei, et al. "The developmental relationship between teeth and dermal odontodes in the most primitive bony fish Lophosteus." Elife 9 (2020): e60985.
c. Sanchez, Sophie, et al. "Microstructure and development of the dermal ossicles of Antarctopelta oliveroi (Dinosauria, Ankylosauria): A complex morphogenetic system deciphered through three‐dimensional X‐ray microtomography." Journal of Anatomy (2024).
d. Sanchez, Sophie, et al. "Three-dimensional synchrotron virtual paleohistology: a new insight into the world of fossil bone microstructures." Microscopy and Microanalysis 18.5 (2012): 1095-1105.
e. Leyhr, Jake, et al. "Enhanced contrast synchrotron X-ray microtomography for describing skeleton-associated soft tissue defects in zebrafish mutants." Frontiers in Endocrinology 14 (2023): 1108916.