Meeting Abstract

P1.1  Thursday, Jan. 3  The MorphologyNet Digital Library of Interactive, Three-Dimensional Anatomical Reconstructions MAGLIA, A.M.*; PUGENER, L.A.; LEOPOLD, J.L.; Missouri S&T, Rolla; Missouri S&T, Rolla; Missouri S&T, Rolla magliaa@umr.edu

Technological developments in the generation of three-dimensional (3D), high resolution animations and interactive images are increasing at an exponential rate. The importance and potential of these tools has not escaped the biological community, wherein 3D visualizations of anatomical structures are being generated for use in research and education. By creating realistic 3D reconstructions of anatomy, researchers are better able to examine small and internal structures, study modifications to structures through development, describe diversity in anatomical structures in various groups, and share their findings with colleagues. Herein, we describe the development of MorphologyNet—www.morphologynet.org—a community-based digital library of 3D, interactive digital reconstructions of anatomy. MorphologyNet was created in response to the growing need of the scientific community to share 3D anatomical reconstructions through the web, and serves as a depository for researchers generating 3D images. MorphologyNet also includes an easy-to-use interface that allows high resolution animations to be rotated, resized, “dissected”, and customized for color, texture, and opacity. Additional functionality, including linear, geometric, and volumetric analysis tools currently are under development.