Λεπτομέρειες βιβλιογραφικής εγγραφής
| Τίτλος: |
Digitizing microscope slide-based natural history collections: A protocol using slide scanner technology. |
| Συγγραφείς: |
Romero, Ingrid C., Wing, Scott L., Jaramillo, Carlos A., Little, Holly, Punyasena, Surangi W., White, Alexander E. |
| Πηγή: |
PLoS ONE; 4/24/2026, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p1-21, 21p |
| Θεματικοί όροι: |
Digitization, Optical scanners, Digital image processing, Collection management (Museums), Histology, Paleontology |
| Εταιρία/Οντότητα: |
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.) |
| Περίληψη: |
Natural history collections contain millions of microscope slides documenting global microscopic biodiversity, yet these materials remain largely undigitized and are vulnerable to deterioration and loss. Recent advances in slide scanner technology, originally developed for medical pathology, offer new opportunities for comprehensive digitization of slide-based collections. Here we present an optimized protocol for digitizing diverse microscope slide specimens, using the Hamamatsu NanoZoomer S20 slide scanner, developed while imaging slides at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. We provide specimen-specific recommendations for scanning parameters, including scan area, focal points, Z-stack configuration, and file management workflows. Scanning times range from 41 seconds for small invertebrates to 18 minutes for palynological samples, with final compressed file sizes of 0.15-28 GB. High-resolution images (0.23 μm/pixel) captured diagnostic morphological features across all specimen types, including pollen, diatoms, radiolarians, plant and fungi tissues, and invertebrates. Using this method, we estimated that just the NMNH's paleo-palynology slide collection contains approximately 4.3 billion individual specimens, 30 times more than the current estimated size of the entire NMNH collection. Slide scanning enables 3D data capture, facilitates remote collaboration, improves reproducibility of taxonomic identifications, and creates permanent digital records that mitigate risks of physical deterioration. This protocol provides practical guidance for institutions looking to digitize slide-based collections to preserve and unlock their full research potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of PLoS ONE is the property of Public Library of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: |
Complementary Index |