Novel process creates 3D dissection aid

New cutting edge technology has enabled researchers to carry out a highly detailed 3D digital dissection of an African clawed frog.

Drs Laura Porro and Christopher Richards, researchers from the Royal Veterinary College, took multiple CT scans of the amphibian after it had been stained with iodine. This allowed bones, soft tissue and other unknown features to be distinguished for the first time. Previously, this was unobtainable with CT scanning, as it only can visualise the skeletons of subjects.

Dr Porro said: “This technique has been successfully applied to individual body parts – heads, legs and wings – of several animal species. However, this is the first time a “digital dissection” of an entire animal has been produced.”

Digital dissection

The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), is commonly used as a model for genetic, neurological and toxicology research. After the digital dissection was completed, separate bones, muscles, organs and nerves were all able to be distinguished from one another.

The model is available as a 3D PDF that can be downloaded and accessed by anyone with available software. The user can manipulate the frog in 3D and ‘dissect’ it by manipulating individual muscles, organs and bones.

Dr Porro added: “This holds enormous potential for education and outreach, as students of all ages around the world can now access the model. It will be especially valuable for situations in which – due to costs, lack of facilities or for health concerns – traditional animal dissections are simply not possible.”

The research was published in the Journal of Anatomy.

[caption id="attachment_62939" align="alignleft" width="500"] X. laevis musculature[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_62940" align="alignleft" width="500"] X. laevis skeleton[/caption]