Acquisition and Development of High Resolution Digital Imaging Facility for the Investigation of Cytoskeletal and Membrane Protein Molecular Dynamics

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Project Summary Instrumentation is requested to support the interactive research efforts of the four laboratories comprising the Yale Cell Motility and Cytoskeletal Group. This proposal is aimed at complementing ongoing collaborative research efforts and extending our technical capabilities in the area of molecular dynamics and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Specifically, we have requested funding for acquisition of a state-of-the-art confocal laser scanning microscope and requisite components for design and construction of a high resolution digital imaging system for studying molecular dynamics. This system will implement: fluorescence photobleaching and photoactivation analyses, single beam gradient laser trapping, cell ablation and quantitative low light level imaging of fluorescent probes in real time. Research activities facilitated by this award will include investigation of the molecular dynamics of neuronal growth and target recognition (Forscher); molecular and functional analyses of actin and microtubule-based molecular motors (Mooseker, Wolenski and Rosenbaum). The requested instrumentation will also significantly augment the research and training mission of the Department of Biology's Training and Research Facility for Imaging. This includes advanced courses in optical methods and their use in molecular cell biology at both undergraduate and graduate levels.