Kendall College of Art and Design's Dow Center for Art, Design and Technology, an educational environment providing learning through collaborative exploration, action research and development of inventive and innovative solutions, announces a unique association with the University of Michigan, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institute of Health. The partnership, an outgrowth of the NLM's 1986 Long-Range Plan, is the Visible Human Project(r)(VHP). It is the first step of a new era in medical education and research, using virtual anatomical tools. Ron Sekulski, Executive Director of the Dow Center for Art, Design and Technology, believes that the VHP is a significant step forward in medical education. He said, "This project will play a key role by using 21st century information technology tools to provide an unprecedented level of understanding of the human body over the next decade."
One of the goals of the VHP is the creation of complete digital anatomically detailed, three-dimensional representations of the normal male and female human bodies. Although other institutions have developed three-dimensional digital images of the VH, Kendall students are establishing the next generation of two-dimensional images and three- and four-dimensional interactive images.
Scientists created the original VH images by freezing male and female cadavers and then cutting a series of 3-millimeter cross-sections and digitally photographing them in sequence. In collaboration with scientist and anatomists at the University of Michigan, the Kendall students have been interpreting and refining the visually obscure anatomical images using a variety of software programs. Their goal is to achieve visually articulated images, which are significantly detailed and clearly define anatomical structures such as organs, nerve and skeletal systems, by removing "ghost" images often seen in visuals that have not been enhanced.
The Kendall students' most significant contribution is their ability to artistically restore color and texture that has been changed as a result of freezing. The partnership seems to be unique. Scientists gain realistic images and students prosper by developing interpersonal communication skills with renowned professionals. They learn to meet schedules, gain a significant knowledge of human anatomy and apply their skills and problem solving abilities to a remarkable professional project. Dr. Oliver H. Evans, President of Kendall College of Art and Design said, "The advantages offered to our students working with the Dow Center projects are unlike any we've seen at Kendall in our 75 year history. We are certain that these new experiences will guarantee our students a knowledge base that will provide them with the skills necessary to participate with future professional cross-disciplinary teams".
The final outcome in the VHP, a complete set of digital sectional views of both the female and male, can be transmitted over the new super, compressed Internet. The images will be used to replace the use of cadavers in scientific research laboratories, and non-medical graduate and undergraduate Allied Health curricula. Future applications will also reshape science education for K-12 students, by offering educational access to this remarkable body of visual information on the Internet.
The project is currently focusing on the female reproductive system and, by working with the project partners, will be complete the spring of 2003. By combining biology and digital information, the VH digital imagery is gradually replacing conventional methods of information in the medical and scientific programs in universities and colleges and enabling new processes in teaching and learning.
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2003, is a four-year college preparing its students for careers as professional artists and designers. In its 75 year history Kendall has developed a solid foundation offering classes in design, drawing, art history and liberal arts and sciences. Kendall is an active community partner annually providing over 2,000 children and adults with the opportunity to purse courses in art and design through a richly varied continuing studies program.
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