An Automated Research Microscope for Visualization and Analysis of Environmental Biological Samples

用于环境生物样本可视化和分析的自动研究显微镜

• 批准号: 0070389
• 负责人: Junko Munakata Marr
• 金额: $ 6.52万
• 依托单位: Colorado School of Mines
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-05-15 至 2001-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0070389&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Automated; Research; Microscope; Visualization; Analysis

Abstract Munakata Marr 0070389An automated research microscope with state-of-the-art digital imaging capabilities will be used to support a wide variety of biological research at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), research that is currently performed off-campus or not at all.Immediate use of the microscope will encompass a broad spectrum of environmental biological research. One major application will be the use of fluorescent genetic probes to identify specific microorganisms in natural soils, in wastewater treatment systems, in biological systems that produce or consume greenhouse gases, and in bioremediation systems. These microbes, for example, remove nitrogen from wastewater, transform chlorinated solvents or arsenic in groundwater, or produce methane or carbon dioxide. In addition, fluorescent bacteria will be used to monitor the treatment of acid mine drainage and the removal of pathogens from drinking water and wastewater. Finally, the microscope will be used to develop new methods of bacterial analyses for public health and food safety applications.This microscope will allow CSM to more closely integrate microbiology with engineering and other sciences. Because the projects described above are conducted primarily by engineers and chemists in collaboration with microbiologists, the ability to perform sophisticated microscopic analyses will provide new insights into microbial influences and interactions in engineered and human-impacted systems. These insights are expected to have far-reaching implications in diverse fields ranging from drinking water safety to global warming. In addition, the microscope will have a significant impact within the university. The Colorado School of Mines has traditionally focused on the beneficial utilization of natural resources, excelling in such fields as mining, geological engineering and petroleum engineering. CSM has recently recognized the importance of biological sciences, and this microscope will provide valuable support toward establishment of a viable, formal biology program.

摘要：一种具有最先进数字成像能力的自动研究显微镜将用于支持科罗拉多矿业学院（CSM）的各种生物研究，这些研究目前正在校外进行或根本没有进行。立即使用显微镜将涵盖广泛的环境生物学研究。一个主要的应用将是使用荧光遗传探针来识别自然土壤、废水处理系统、产生或消耗温室气体的生物系统以及生物修复系统中的特定微生物。例如，这些微生物可以去除废水中的氮，转化地下水中的氯化溶剂或砷，或产生甲烷或二氧化碳。此外，荧光细菌将用于监测酸性矿山废水的处理以及饮用水和废水中病原体的去除。最后，该显微镜将用于开发新的细菌分析方法，用于公共卫生和食品安全应用。这台显微镜将允许CSM更紧密地整合微生物学与工程和其他科学。由于上述项目主要是由工程师和化学家与微生物学家合作进行的，因此进行复杂的微观分析的能力将为工程和人类影响系统中的微生物影响和相互作用提供新的见解。预计这些见解将对从饮用水安全到全球变暖等各个领域产生深远影响。此外，显微镜将在大学内产生重大影响。科罗拉多矿业学院历来专注于自然资源的有益利用，在采矿、地质工程和石油工程等领域表现突出。CSM最近认识到生物科学的重要性，这台显微镜将为建立一个可行的，正式的生物学项目提供宝贵的支持。