MRI: Acquisition of Zeiss LSM710 Confocal Microscope System

该 NSF MRI 奖资助购买一台共焦显微镜，以扩大芝加哥大学和菲尔德自然历史博物馆教师的研究能力，以便在有机体和进化生物学领域进行研究。研究主题包括检查异位神经元的功能，作为探索斑马鱼神经回路进化的模型、果蝇的胚带模式发育、植物对细菌感染的反应以及鸟类鸣叫回路神经元的组织。显微镜将提供细胞和亚细胞结构的基本成像能力。显微镜使学生受益匪浅，使他们能够获得在课堂和独立项目中应用研究技术的经验。研究和教学工作的成果将通过摘要和同行评审出版物以及学生和教师积极参与专业会议来广泛传播。

This NSF MRI Award funds the acquisition of a confocal microscope to expand the research capabilities of faculty at University of Chicago and at the Field Museum of Natural History for conducting research in the fields of organismal and evolutionary biology.Topics of study include examining the functions of ectopic neurons as models for exploring neural circuit evolution in zebrafish, germ band pattern development in flies, the response of plants to bacterial infection and the organization of song circuit neurons in birds. The microscope would provide essential imaging capabilities of cellular and sub cellular structures. The microscope benefits students by allowing them to gain experience in the application of research techniques in classes and independent projects. The results of the research and teaching efforts will be broadly disseminated through abstracts and peer reviewed publications, as well as by active participation of students and faculty atprofessional meetings.