NIH S10 Instrument Grant for Acquisition of SkyScan 1276 micro-CT
Xiahozhe Han, DMD, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Oral Science and Translational Research and the Director of Periodontal Immunobiology and Continuing Educationat at the NSU College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Han is discussing his $412K NIH S10 award titled “SkyScan 1276 µCT for multi-user studies”.
Tell me briefly about your recent grant-funded project.
This is first-ever NIH-funded instrument grant awarded to NSU. Our existing micro-CT in the core facility of Center for Collaborative Research (CCR) became dysfunctional which placed the NIH-funded researchers and other users of micro-CT in a dire situation. To this end, the S10 large grant mechanism is the only way for NSU researchers to obtain a new micro-CT (Bruker SkyScan 1276). The proposed acquisition of SkyScan 1276 micro-CT meets the need for high-resolution 3-dimensional in vivo imaging of bones, teeth and vasculature, as well as skeleton of fishes and corals which strongly benefit the research and training at NSU and neighboring institutions in line with the mission of NIH. Currently, the instrument has been purchased and the shipment is scheduled in February 2025. Preparation of installation and training is underway.
Who is working with you on this project?
This is an instrument grant, the committee members are as follows:
| Name | Title & Affiliation | Role |
| Dr. Robin Krueger, PhD | Scientific Director for Research Facilities, NSU Division of Research and Economic Development | Operational Support, Institutional Support, Committee Chair |
| Dr. Xiaozhe Han, PhD | Professor, Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, NSU College of Dental Medicine | PI of the Proposal |
| Dr. Gary Margules, PhD | Vice President of Research and Technology Transfer, NSU Division of Research and Economic Development | Institutional Support |
| Dr. Toshihisa Kawai, DDS, PhD | Chair and Professor, Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, NSU College of Dental Medicine | Major User, NIH-Funded Researcher |
| Dr. Richard Dodge, PhD | Dean Emeritus and Professor, NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences | Minor User, Non-NIH Funded Researcher |
| Dr. Alireza Heidari, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, NSU College of Dental Medicine | Designated Operator |
| Dr. Gregg B. Fields, PhD | Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University | External Major User |
What opportunities and/or benefits does this grant bring to the NSU community?
Benefits of the new micro-CT to the research community at NSU: 1) the continuation and enhancement of the high quality NIH-funded research being carried out at NSU, and 2) the stimulation of biomedical and basic science research and collaboration among the various components at NSU and the neighboring research community. Especially for the seven major users who have active NIH grants, the new micro-CT will regain the efficient progress on their proposed Specific Aims as well as provide for the generation of preliminary data for future NIH grant applications. Due to the low resolution of and frequent breakdowns of the existing micro-CT (SkyScan 1176), micro-CT analysis of bone and vasculature is not currently being performed. While X-ray and histochemical analysis can also image and measure the 2D structure of those hard and soft tissues, only micro-CT can quantify the 3D volume of the tissue of interest. The in vivo imaging system combining high-sensitivity CCD camera and digital image analysis software that detects near infrared fluorescence-or chemiluminescence-labeled target molecule can visualize and semi-quantify the molecules or tissue of interest in the 3D organization. However, the resolution as well as detailed microstructure of target tissue are not comparable to those detected by micro-CT. Furthermore, advancement in contrast agents and 3D volume rendering technique developed for micro-CT permits the imaging of soft tissues, such as vasculature, muscle, and lung. Because of this, not only will the NSU researchers in the fields of the bone and skeletal research benefit, but also those in the fields of cancer, neuroscience, and marine science.
Benefits of the new micro-CT to the students at NSU: NSU’s mission is to offer a diverse array of innovative academic programs that combine on-campus educational opportunities and resources with accessible distance learning programs to foster academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, leadership, research, and commitment to community through engagement of students and faculty members in a dynamic, life-long learning environment. The new micro-CT system will provide an opportunity for not only faculty but also students to learn the fundamentals and application of micro-CT as well as clinical-CT. In terms of student engagement in research, most of NIH-funded PIs receive NIH’s Diversity Administrative Supplement to hire underrepresented students to engage in biomedical research. It is noteworthy that NSU is one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the US. Furthermore, there are a number of programs that support students to be engaged in research including the Office of Undergraduate Research, Razor’s Edge Research Program, independent study and senior capstone research projects, and the experiential learning (ExEL) educational requirement. Due to the serious impediments in operating the existing micro-CT, students have had very limited engagement in the research projects that require micro-CT. However, upon acquisition of the new micro-CT, which will have improved functionalities, students will be involved in the projects using micro-CT. Students will also learn about the clinical application of CT in both the medical and dental fields. CT scans are more widely used than MRIs and are typically less expensive. Thus, graduate students in HPD colleges and undergraduate students who decide to pursue careers in the health profession as well as the biomedical sciences will benefit from exposure to biomedical research project using a micro-CT.
How does this project connect with your other work at NSU?
My current research includes osteoimmunoregulation of periodontal and peri-implant disease, immune-stromal microenvironment modulation in oral cancer, and alloplastic scaffold-based alveolar ridge regeneration. Overall, the success of a first-ever S10 grant for NSU will:
- Facilitate the continuation and enhancement of high-quality NIH-funded and other biomedical research being carried out at NSU and across the South Florida area;
- Provide an additional platform and tools to foster teaching and training programs locally, including at Hispanic-Serving Institutions like NSU, FAU, and others;
- Provoke renewed enthusiasm for multidisciplinary research team efforts by both internal and external investigators;
- Strengthen the research infrastructure and resource network at NSU for better faculty recruitment and retention outcomes;
- Further stimulate biomedical and basic biological research and collaboration among the various components of the NSU research community which have been fast expanding in recent years; and
- Benefit NSU’s mission to deliver innovative academic programs in a dynamic, lifelong learning and research environment, especially in line with NSU’s Core Values of “Scholarship/Research,” “Innovation,” a “Student Centered” environment, and “Diversity.”
How has NSU helped you pursue and/or achieve personal and professional goals you have set for yourself? NSU resources used?
State of the art research resources, and collegial interactive environment are the two key elements of the success of our goals. NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2016 opened a 215,000 square foot Center for Collaborative Research (CCR) on NSU’s main campus. The CCR is one of the largest and most advanced research facilities in Florida with state-of-the-art laboratories, and is home to a diverse group of accomplished physician-scientists and basic science researchers, representing many interdisciplinary sciences. The NSU Cell Therapy Institute (CTI) is housed in the CCR and contains modular laboratory work spaces for the individual investigator groups, offices, conference rooms, dedicated space for core facilities, common laboratory resources space, administrative offices and a vivarium for animal research.
What advice do you have for other grant seekers at NSU?
The only grant you will for sure not get awarded is the one that you fail to submit. Grant writing is no different from any other personal or professional effort you make. Perseverance prevails.
What is the next grant proposal or project on your agenda?
Currently we are preparing to submit 2 additional grant applications: one is related to oral cancer and another is related to bone regeneration. These grants are collaborative applications with investigators from Forsyth and FAU.