Synchrotron radiation /spl mu/CT of biological tissue

Synchrotron Radiation (SR) /spl mu/CT allows improving the performance of standard ACT in terms of spatial and density resolution, signal to noise ratio, and acquisition time. SR ACT is available or in development in most synchrotron facilities. After a brief description of the ID19 ESRF SR /spl mu/CT set up, the differences between images acquired using SR ACT and ACT are highlighted. The potential analysis possibilities are illustrated on images of mice bone architecture. The technique makes it possible to access and quantify bone architecture, but also bone ultrastructure. In addition, coherent synchrotron beams enable a new imaging modality based on phase contrast imaging, particularly attractive for imaging soft tissue.