Film Reveals Beetle from the Inside

Scientific Computing ^ | 5/4/12

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Frame from the award-winning film, an anatomical study of a female aquatic beetle

A biofilm that shows, from the inside, the anatomy of a small aquatic insect called Dryops has received the Best Film of the Year Award at the SkyScan Micro CT User Meeting 2012, an international conference of computed microtomography that took place in Brussels, Belgium, from April 3 to 5, 2012.

Professor Javier Alba Tercedor, of the University of Granada’s Department of Zoology, was presented the award for his film titled “Micro-CT anatomical study of a female aquatic beetle (Insect: Coleoptera) of the genus Dryops”. The video is available here

Tomography is a non-invasive widespread technique used by the scientific community, especially in the field of medicine. Micro-CT generates high-resolution images, and no alterations have to be made to samples; consequently, valuable specimens can be studied without causing any harm to them.

Several projects and European funding have allowed large equipment purchases. In late 2007, the University of Granada acquired the high-resolution microtomograph Skyscan 1172. Since then, Professor Alba Tercedor has mastered the use of the tool and has obtained very satisfactory results. In 2010, he was awarded the Best Image award at the SkyScan Micro CT Meeting.

A Technique with Many Possibilites


At present, Professor Alba affirms to be “a microtomography enthusiast,” as it offers many innovative possibilities. His research studies have been published in prestigious journals, and have revealed anatomical aspects so far unknown. In addition, his research has elucidated a set of controversial aspects, such as why some beetle species can fly by day, while other only fly by night or under low temperatures (study published in the journal Plus One available at http://sl.ugr.es/01He); he also solved the question about the defensive or structural function of the small needles (spicules) that some sea slugs have in their inside (published in Microscopy and Analysis, available athttp://sl.ugr.es/01Hf).

The University of Granada has acquired a micro-CT that can be fitted to a sweep electron microscope and generates images of 0.5 microns. Videos made using this technology are available at: http://www.youtube.com/user/albatercedor).

[null and void]

yeah, yeah, yeah...

[fredhead]

[Snickering Hound]

[BenLurkin]

Nice!

[fredhead]

The wonderful things I find on TheSamba.com, the worldwide VW forum.

[So Cal Rocket]

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

"A biofilm that shows, from the inside, the anatomy of a small aquatic insect called Dryops has received the Best Film of the Year Award ...."

I had to read that three times, because of the novel use of the word "biofilm". Obviously, it's a portmanteau of "biology" and "film" (as in a movie). Like "biopic" -- except that, in that case, "bio" comes from "biographical". Also, it (biopic) wasn't already in common use for something completely different.

Definition of Biofilm

Biofilm: An aggregate of microbes with a distinct architecture. A biofilm is like a tiny city in which microbial cells, each only a micrometer or two long, form towers that can be hundreds of micrometers high. The "streets" between the towers are really fluid-filled channels that bring in nutrients, oxygen and other necessities for live biofilm communities.

IOW, a biofilm is why you brush your teeth -- it isn't something you want to watch.

[Sopater]

I love that picture... It’s inside my son’s 1967 VW Beetle manual.

[The_Victor]

Whew. I was scare we were going to be treated to a video of Paul McCartney's colonoscopy.

[Brookhaven]

FWIW,

Yoko Ono was married to a Beatle, not a beetle.

Beatles was a play on the phrase "mersey beat" (another name for the Liverpool sound), which was an emerging musical style at the time the Beatles formed. The "beat" in Beatles refers to a musical beat. It has nothing to do with insects.

[Jack Burton007]

True, but Paul and John did say that they got the idea to take the name Beatles from the name of Buddy Holly’s group the Crickets.

[Tex-Con-Man]

Biofilms also have a social structure with individuals willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the community...and they communicate with one another. Fascinating subject.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“True, but Paul and John did say that they got the idea to take the name Beatles from the name of Buddy Holly’s group the Crickets.”

I think Buddy Holly got that name from the wireless company.

It’s Friday :)