Elucidating Tactile Sensors by X-ray Holotomography

Our current understanding of the vibrissa follicle stems from lightmicroscopy. Inferring 3d structure from 2d serial sections poses serious limitations, however. Preliminary findings from a test scan at the ID16A in contrast provided a much richer picture of vibrissal innervation and ultrastructure. In the so called vibrissa follicle complex the 3d arrangement of mechanosensitive nerve endings determine transduction mechanisms in the context of elaborate accessory structures. Holotomograms provide distinctive advantage in resolving this arrangement to elucidate this poorly understood mechanosensory structure of mammals. Here, we aim to image the nanostructure of a whole vibrissa follicle and the first neuronal projection layers in the brain at the ID16A. Such data would allow for the first time a synopsis of all axons entering the follicle along with accessory mechanosensory machinery.