MRI: Acquisition of a Laser Scanning Multi-Photon Confocal Microscope to Investigate Structure and Dynamics of Soft Materials of Biological and Synthetic Origin

技术摘要这一建议是为收购激光扫描多光子共聚焦显微镜设施（MCMF），将支持在卡内基梅隆大学（CMU）跨越八个部门和两个学院的核心组的教师。MCMF设施将包括一个逐点标准和共振扫描模块，能够获取具有高空间和时间分辨率的图像，一个由相干变色龙XR钛蓝宝石脉冲激光器组成的多光子系统，以及一个荧光寿命成像显微镜（FLIM）模块。激光扫描多光子共聚焦显微镜的收购将填补避免在CMU现有的成像设施提供实验能力，包括荧光漂白后恢复，和荧光共振能量转移，并将在许多建立和新生的研究项目的高级和初级faculties调查软材料的结构和动力学的直接影响。例如，MCMF将允许（a）合成软材料中的相变、自组装、缺陷动力学和形态演变的直接可视化，（B）与生物软材料中的基本生物发现和疾病治疗相关的天然和合成大分子的细胞和亚细胞定位的实时成像，以及（c）开发用于有效采集和分析复杂生物图像的自适应算法。MCMF还将提供一个独特的机会，通过为学生提供获得直接的，“动手”的经验，包括细胞，大分子和微型设备的微型和较小的系统，整合到课堂教学和推广活动。我们的目标是使用拟议的MCMF汇集在CMU和localindustry分散和不同的研究人员谁将交换思想和专业知识，同时在近距离工作，并作为一个强有力的催化剂，为成核新的多学科研究和education.Non-technical Abstract激光扫描多光子共聚焦显微镜允许成像的微观物体和theirdynamics深在一个三维的样品，很少的光损伤。因此，共焦显微镜已经成为在软材料中进行最先进测量的不可或缺的工具。在微观尺度上可视化软材料的结构和动力学可以更好地理解它们的自组装和宏观性质。拟议中的激光扫描多光子共聚焦显微镜设施（MCMF）将使整个卡内基梅隆大学（CMU）校园令人兴奋的多样化研究阵列。例如，MCMF将使更好的复合材料的发展，增加与衰老和胚胎发育相关的细胞机制的理解，改善药物输送研究等，我们还计划为研究生和本科生开发一门先进显微镜课程，利用拟议的设施。该设施所实现的研究和教育的高度可视化性质将通过使复杂的想法更加有形来吸引和激励本科生和高中生进行高级科学研究。使用MCMF，我们将开发适合年龄的模块，旨在通过CMU针对K-12学生和教师的既定外展计划，特别是在有大量代表性不足群体的学校，传达微观系统可视化的概念。MCMF还将加强与工业、其他大学和公众的联系。

Technical AbstractThis proposal is for the acquisition of a laser scanning Multi-photon Confocal Microscopy Facility(MCMF) that will support a core group of faculties at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) spanning eightdepartments and two colleges. The MCMF facility will include a point-by-point standard and resonantscanning module capable of acquiring images with high spatial and temporal resolutions, a multi-photonsystem consists of Coherent Chameleon XR Ti-Sapphire pulsed laser, and a fluorescence lifetime imagingmicroscopy (FLIM) module. Acquisition of a laser scanning multi-photon confocal microscope will fill avoid in the existing imaging facilities at CMU by providing experimental capabilities that includefluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and will have animmediate impact in numerous established and nascent research projects of senior and junior facultiesinvestigating the structure and dynamics of soft materials. For example, MCMF will allow (a) directvisualization of phase transitions, self-assembly, defect dynamics, and morphology evolution in syntheticsoft materials, (b) real-time imaging of cellular and sub-cellular localization of native and syntheticmacromolecules related to fundamental biological discovery and disease therapy in biological softmaterials, and (c) development of adaptive algorithms for efficient acquisition and analysis of complexbiological images. The MCMF will also offer a unique opportunity for integration into classroominstruction and outreach activities by offering the possibility for students to gain direct, "hands-on"experience with microscale and smaller systems including cells, macromolecules and microdevices. Ourgoal is to use the proposed MCMF to bring together scattered and diverse researchers at CMU and localindustry who will exchange ideas and expertise while working in close proximity and as a potent catalystfor nucleating new multi-disciplinary research and education.Non-technical AbstractLaser scanning multi-photon confocal microscopes allows for the imaging of microscopic objects and theirdynamics deep within a three dimensional sample with very little photo-damage. As a result, confocalmicroscopes have become indispensable tools to perform state-of-the-art measurements in soft materials.Visualizing the structure and dynamics of soft materials at the microscopic scale allows for betterunderstanding of their self-assembly and macroscopic properties. The proposed laser scanning MultiphotonConfocal Microscopy Facility (MCMF) will enable an exciting array of diverse research across theCarnegie Mellon University (CMU) campus. For example, MCMF will enable the development of bettercomposite materials, increase the understanding of cellular mechanisms related to aging and embryonicdevelopment, improve drug delivery studies, etc. We also plan to develop a course on AdvancedMicroscopy for graduate and undergraduate students that would utilize the proposed facility. The highlyvisual nature of the research and education enabled by the facility will attract and inspire undergraduatesand high-school students to high-level science by making complex ideas more tangible. Using the MCMFwe will develop age-appropriate modules intended to communicate concepts of visualization of microscalesystems via established outreach programs at CMU that target K-12 students and teachers particularly inschools with large under-represented groups. The MCMF will also increase ties with industry, otheruniversities and the public.