RUI: Acquisition of Scanning Electron Microscope

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Knox College requests funding for a new scanning electron microscope (SEM) to replace our 14-year-old model that does not meet the current research needs of the faculty, and for which parts are getting scarce. L. Dybas, principal investigator, will use the SEM for her studies on sipunculan immunology, focussing on the structure and function of sipunculan coelomocytes; on the responses of sipunculans to elevated temperature (heat shock), wounding and regeneration; and for taxonomic and morphologic studies in her research on ptiliid beetles. M. Brodl, in his studies on the heat shock response in barley aleurone layers, will use the SEM to characterize the response of the endoplasmic reticulum during heat shock, recovery, and thermotolerance. The response in barley is a model system for comparing responses in other plants, invertebrates and higher animals. B. Kooser will use the SEM in his spin label investigations sing chemically modified silica. EPR spectra display behavioral changes as the silica surface is modified. SEM observations of the altered silica are essential to confirm the surface modification. The SEM will also be integral to an introductory project-based course in electron microscopy. A research-level SEM will permit students to obtain publication- quality data either on their own or as co- researchers with faculty.