Upgrade of Microscopy Center Instrumentation (Group Proposal)

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Support is requested for an instrumentation upgrade to enhance the research facilities provided by the Microscopy Center at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The Center and its staff provide a complete range of research and training services in light and electron microscopy, with emphasis on biological applications. Replacement of the laser and light sensing system of an existing confocal microscope will provide the sensitivity needed for projects on living cells, and an inverted microscope configuration will facilitate microinjection experiments. For image acquisition, display and processing, replacement of an outdated Micro Vax computer with an Indigo graphics workstation capable of handling the three dimensional reconstruction and rendering of large confocal data sets is requested. Acquisition of a rapid freezing device and freeze-substitution unit w ill enable users to take advantage of the improved structural preservation and antigen retention provided by cryotechniques. As examples of the work that will be made possible by these upgrades, the research projects of seven major users and eleven minor users of the Microscopy Center, covering a wide range of topics are described. The projects, all of which are externally funded, are focused on important problems in cell biology, neurobiology, and biogenesis. Strong institutional support for the Microscopy Center is provided by contributions from four Administrative units, which currently exceeds $120,000 per year. Users are charged fees based on the cost of consumable supplies, and microscope time. This combined income covers the salaries of two professional microscopists, maintenance contracts on the electron microscopes and modest repair and replacement costs.