We are delighted to announce that the manuscript titled "Investigation of Rhodnius prolixus head anatomy using microtomography" has been published and featured on the front page. A talented team of researchers together with Liebert P. Nogueira conducted this remarkable study.
The research team, led by Gabriela Sena from LabFisMed at the Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil, and in collaboration with esteemed scientists from COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Fluminense Federal University and the University of Oslo, explored the fascinating world of insects through the application of microtomography. This powerful technique enabled them to obtain detailed internal images of structures with high resolution without the need for dissection.
Rhodnius prolixus, an insect commonly used as a model in morphology, metamorphosis, and reproduction studies, played a central role in this investigation. Additionally, this insect species is one of the primary vectors of Chagas disease, a life-threatening illness in Latin America. By employing staining protocols and laboratory microtomography conventional scanners, the team demonstrated the efficacy of this method in biological research, particularly in visualizing low-density tissues.
The experiments were conducted at Brian Metscher's imaging lab in the Theoretical Biology Department, University of Vienna, utilizing an Xradia MicroXCT and our Skyscan 2211. The results of this study contribute significantly to our understanding of insect anatomy and hold potential implications for Chagas disease research.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the research team for their groundbreaking work and for achieving the recognition of being featured on the front page. This accomplishment highlights their dedication and expertise in the field of microtomography.
To access the full manuscript and delve into the intriguing details of this research, please refer to the publication in the Journal of Microscopy (J. Microsc. 2023; 290:161–167).
It is not the first time that scientists from our team get on the front page of prestigious journals; read more about our past frontpages here:
Chemical Society Reviews (Maryam Rahmati et al.) – Inside front cover
Clinical Oral Implants Research (Minh Thieu et al.) - Cover
Science Signaling (Helen Pullisaar et al.) - Cover
International Endodontic Journal (Gaute Johnsen et al) - Cover