CSBR: Natural History Collections: Advancing access to diatom slide collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University by whole-slide imaging and virtual microscopy

CSBR：自然历史收藏：通过全幻灯片成像和虚拟显微镜促进德雷塞尔大学自然科学院硅藻幻灯片收藏的获取

• 批准号: 1938128
• 负责人: Marina Potapova
• 金额: $ 50.73万
• 依托单位: Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2020-09-15 至 2024-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1938128&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CSBR; Natural; History; Collections; Advancing

Diatoms are microscopic algae essential for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and commonly used to reconstruct past and monitor current environmental changes in lakes, wetlands, rivers and marine basins. The goal of this project is to develop a novel research tool for scientists studying diatoms and to facilitate access to the holdings of the Diatom Herbarium at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (ANS). Traditionally, diatom researchers have been observing and identifying diatoms by manually placing permanent diatom slides under a light microscope and viewing, measuring and photographing individual specimens to document their appearance. In this project the modern slide-scanning technology will be used to create high-resolution images of diatom slides that could be viewed and studied online using a ‘virtual microscopy’ application. This approach will automate data collection, create unique opportunities for data sharing and collaboration and democratize research by providing an open access to the collection and saving the costs of travel, shipping, and microscopy. It will also open new perspectives for the development of image analysis tools as well as for educating the public about microbial diversity and the role of microorganisms in the biosphere.A customized automated microscope slide-scanning system will be employed for digitizing 6,000 microscope slides at high resolution with oil immersion and differential contrast optics. These slides represent various geographic areas, waterbody types and research themes. A web-based virtual microscopy application adapted for the needs of diatom researchers and educators and simulating the use of a real microscope will be developed for viewing these virtual slides. Digital images of the slides, containing millions of individual diatom specimens and representing snapshots of entire diatom assemblages, will be made freely available online to support and catalyze research programs focused on environmental change and its effects on aquatic biota, as well as on diatom systematics, ecology, and biogeography. Access to the virtual slides will be provided via the ANS collection website, the national resource for Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections (http://www.idigbio.com) and other online biodiversity portals. A cohort of students will be involved in slide scanning and developing of the ‘virtual microscope’ web platform, getting experience in working in a multidisciplinary team and using technology to address environmental problems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

硅藻是微观藻类，对于水生生态系统的功能至关重要，通常用于重建过去和监测湖泊，湿地，河流和海洋鲈鱼的当前环境变化。该项目的目的是为研究硅藻的科学家开发一种新颖的研究工具，并促进在德雷克塞尔大学（ANS）自然科学院（ANS）的自然科学院获得硅藻含量的持有。传统上，通过手动将永久性硅藻幻灯片放置在光学显微镜和观察，测量和摄影个体标本以记录其外观的情况下，观察到硅藻研究人员并识别硅藻。在这个项目中，现代幻灯片扫描技术将用于创建可以使用“虚拟显微镜”应用程序在线查看和研究的硅藻幻灯片的高分辨率图像。这种方法将自动化数据收集，为数据共享和协作创造独特的机会，并通过提供对收集的开放访问并节省旅行，运输和显微镜的成本来使研究民主化。它还将为开发图像分析工具的开发以及向公众提供有关微生物多样性和微生物在生物圈中的作用的新观点。一种定制的自动化显微镜幻灯片扫描系统将用于数字化6,000个微观显微镜幻灯片，该幻灯片以浸入油和差异对比的高分辨率。这些幻灯片代表了各种地理区域，水体类型和研究主题。基于Web的虚拟显微镜应用程序适用于硅藻研究人员和教育工作者的需求，并将开发模拟实际显微镜的使用，以查看这些虚拟滑梯。幻灯片的数字图像，其中包含数百万个单独的硅藻规格并代表整个硅藻组合的快照，将免费提供在线提供，以支持和催化有关环境变化及其对水生生物群的影响，以及对水生生物的影响，以及硅藻系统，生态学，生态学和生物地理学的影响。将通过ANS Collection网站（用于推进生物多样性集合数字化的国家资源（http://www.idigbio.com）和其他在线生物多样性门户网站提供虚拟幻灯片。一系列学生将参与“虚拟显微镜”网络平台的滑动扫描和开发，获得多学科团队工作的经验，并使用技术来解决环境问题。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为是通过基金会的知识分子和更广泛影响的审查审查标准来通过评估来通过评估来获得的支持。