| NSF Org: |
DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 9, 2017 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 13, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 1701516 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Reed Beaman
DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2021 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $46,040.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $46,040.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
110 INNER CAMPUS DR AUSTIN TX US 78712-1139 (512)471-6424 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
101 E. 27th Street, Suite 5.300 Austin TX US 78712-1532 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Digitization |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
The oVert (openVertebrate) Thematic Collection Network (TCN) will generate and serve high-resolution digital three-dimensional (3D) data for internal anatomy across vertebrate diversity. Via a network of digitization centers across the US, more than 20,000 fluid-preserved specimens representing over 80% of the living genera of vertebrates will be CT-scanned. This will provide broad coverage for exploration and research on all major groups of vertebrates. Contrast-enhanced scans will be generated that reveal soft tissues and organs. This collection of digital imagery and three-dimensional volumes will be open for exploration, download, and use to address questions related to the discovery of new species, documenting patterns of anatomical diversity and growth, and testing hypotheses of function and evolution. The resource will provide unprecedented global access to valuable specimens in US museum collections and will develop best practices and guidelines for high-throughput CT-scanning, including efficient workflows, preferred resolutions, and archival formats that optimize the variety of downstream applications. Museum specialists will be trained on the generation, curation, and distribution of 3D data, researchers in using 3D anatomical data, and high school and undergraduate students in the tools for creating 3D anatomical models. To drive the use of these digital specimens by K-12 STEM educators, teacher-driven workshops that generate freely available lesson plans focused on specific science standards that are based on digital and printed 3D models of specimens in US museum collections.
Data generated by oVert will serve as a catalyst for diverse research projects focused on understanding the vertebrate morphological diversity and will dramatically increase the accessibility of specimens housed in US scientific collections. These anatomical phenotypes represent a common currency that facilitates integration across the fields of taxonomy, evolution, developmental biology, comparative physiology, functional anatomy, paleontology, and ecology. The x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning gemerates high-resolution digital anatomical data, represented as both 2D image stacks and 3D volumes and surfaces. With these 3D digital specimens, US and international research communities will be able to (1) diagnose, describe, and infer patterns of relationships among both living and extinct vertebrates, (2) test hypotheses of morphological evolution such as patterns of disparity, modularity, and phenotype-environment correlations, (3) develop structure-function models for testing hypotheses about morphological adaptations related to, e.g., feeding and locomotion, and (4) explore relationships between brain and nervous system anatomy and both sensory and musculoskeletal function. The 3D data will be distributed globally through MorphoSource, an on-line data repository for 3D biological specimen data, which will capture standardized metadata, ingest legacy data from previous and existing projects, and will supply media information to data aggregators including iDigBio (www.idigbio.org). Training workshops, both on-site at participating institutions and national society meetings of scientists and educators are planned to foster innovation and capabilities for users of 3D image data.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The oVert (openVertebrate) project is the first Thematic Collection Network (TCN) to provide research communities with freely-accessible, digital 3D data for the visualization and study of internal anatomy across fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, turtles, and crocodilians. oVert and associated "Partner to Existing Network" (PEN) awards have created ~25,000 media files representing >10,000 vouchered specimens from US museum collections and made available on-line (via MorphoSource). The phenotypic data are collected from CT (computed tomography) scanning, a nondestructive technology that reveals a specimen inside and out — its skeleton, muscles, circulatory and nervous systems, internal organs, parasites, eggs and stomach contents.
These data are available as "slice files" for researchers with 3D rendering software, and 3D models that can be manipulated online and downloaded. These files are regularly requested for use in research, education (K-12 and college-level), art, and personal use, including the production of 3D models. More than 2,000 users have made >126,000 total downloads. The oVert project has been cited in >70 publications. In university courses, more than 700 students have interacted with images, digital and 3D-printed models, and computed tomography (CT) datasets. Through workshops and courses (including some at the University of Texas), oVert directly trained >100 faculty, scientists, and students in the use of these ground-breaking methods of scientific research.
Overall, the project yielded a wealth of new, open available data that until now was expensive to generate and difficult to acquire because of the need for special equipment. This unique data source provides researchers and educators the opportunity to integrate morphological attributes across vertebrates with the extensive store of complementary molecular genetic data.
Last Modified: 06/17/2022
Modified by: David C Cannatella
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