Acquisition, Assembly and Use of a High Speed Fluorescence Anisotropy and Lifetime Imaging System

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With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Multi-user (CRIF:MU) program, Professor John McCracken and colleagues Gary Blanchard, Robert Ofoli, Greg Swain and David Weliky from Michigan State University will acquire a series of components to build a rapid acquisition, picosecond fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy imaging system. The award will enhance research training and education at all levels, especially in areas of study such as (a) fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy imaging of lipid structures, (b) optical and electrochemical characterization of biomimetic nanostructured interfaces, (c) chemically modified electrodes for studies of graphene and thin carbon films, and (d) imaging of membrane perturbations induced by viral fusion peptides and proteins.A rapid acquisition, picosecond fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy imaging system is important to the study of a broad range of structurally heterogeneous and fluid interfaces such as those in biological membranes. These experiments provide novel information on molecular motion and energy transfer, and specifically how these properties vary with the physical condition and chemical composition of the interface. This instrumentation will support not only research activities but also research training to graduate and undergraduate students at Michigan State University and nearby institutions such as Saginaw Valley State University. The instrument will also support international interactions with the University of Warsaw, University of Bath and Shaanxi Normal University as well as activities with local high school students.