Acquisition of a Confocal Microscope to Support Research in Cell and Molecular Biology at Susquehanna University

托马斯C博士获得了一笔赠款。Peeler在Susquehanna大学获得共聚焦显微镜系统，以支持学生/教师在细胞和分子生物学方面的合作研究。 该仪器是一种先进的激光扫描共聚焦显微镜，在免疫荧光应用中提供了增强的分辨率，并能够从超薄光学切片重建3D图像。该仪器将有三个主要的教师用户。 托马斯皮勒博士的工作研究了外部信号，特别是血管紧张素II，对心肌细胞肌动蛋白细胞骨架结构的相互作用。 共聚焦显微镜将允许Peeler博士可视化心脏细胞中的细胞骨架网络。 由外部信号刺激的该网络的破坏可能在与高血压相关的心脏肥大的发展中起作用。 大卫理查德博士的实验室探索内分泌控制的卵黄发生，或蛋黄沉积，在果蝇卵母细胞。 理查德博士希望利用这一仪器更好地了解某些关键蛋白质在鸡蛋发育过程中吸收蛋黄的作用。 破坏这一过程可能是控制昆虫种群的新方法的关键。 Margaret Peeler博士的实验室专注于海胆胚胎早期发育过程中细胞命运决定中信号转导途径的作用。 共聚焦显微镜将用于实验中，以跟踪被认为负责指导胚胎发育中细胞命运的调节蛋白的表达。共聚焦显微镜的获得将对Susquehanna大学本科生的研究培训产生重大影响。 每年大约有15到20名本科生将使用该仪器作为他们高级研究经验的一部分。 该显微镜系统的可用性将增强和扩大正在进行的研究项目的范围，并为这些学生提供重要的培训机会，他们中的许多人打算通过研究生工作或通过在学术或生物技术实验室就业来从事生物医学研究。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Thomas C. Peeler at Susquehanna University to acquire a confocal microscope system to support student/faculty collaborative research in cell and molecular biology. This instrument is an advanced laser scanning confocal microscope that offers enhanced resolution in immunofluorescent applications and the ability to reconstruct 3D images from ultathin optical sections.There will be three main faculty users of this instrument. Dr. Thomas Peeler's work examines the interaction of external signals, specifically angiotensin II, on actin cytoskeleton structure in cardiac cells. The confocal microscope will allow Dr. Peeler to visualize the cytoskeletal network in heart cells. Disruption of this network stimulated by external signals may play a role in the development of the cardiac hypertrophy associated with hypertension. Dr. David Richard's lab explores the endocrine control of vitellogenesis, or yolk deposition, in Drosophila oocytes. Dr. Richard hopes to use this instrument to better understand the role of certain key proteins in the uptake of yolk during egg development. Disruption of this process may be a key to novel methods of insect population control. Dr. Margaret Peeler's lab focuses on the role of signal transduction pathways in cell fate determination during the early development of the sea urchin embryo. The confocal microscope will be used in experiments to follow the expression of regulatory proteins believed to be responsible for directing cell fate in embryonic development.The acquisition of the confocal microscope will have significant impact on the research training of undergraduate students at Susquehanna University. Approximately 15 to 20 undergraduates will use the instrument each year as part of their capstone senior research experience. The availability of this microscope system will enhance and expand the scope of the research projects being pursued and provide significant training opportunities for these students, many of whom intend to pursue careers in biomedical research either through graduate work or through employment in academic or biotechnology labs.