MRI: Acquisition of a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope for a Shared Imaging Facility for Research and Undergraduate Research Training at Occidental College

本计画为西方学院之生物、化学研究及本科生研究训练建立高解析度光学显微镜影像设备。 赠款资金将用于购买Leica TCS SP5 II光谱共聚焦系统，用于共享显微镜核心设施。 西方教师将使用SP5共聚焦系统研究生物学和生物化学中的各种问题，包括C.本研究的主要领域包括：线虫的神经发育、斑马鱼的离子通道生理学、锥螺的捕食机制、热带凤梨科植物的营养吸收和尿素酶活性、新发现的海洋无脊椎动物中的微生物共生以及细菌生物膜的化学。 成像设施将更新和大大提高研究和培训能力，使目前的生物学教师承担新的和合作的研究项目，并为本科生提供他们可能在未来的研究生学习和工作环境中使用的先进研究技术的技能。西方学院是一所全国公认的文科学院，位于洛杉矶东北部，为多样化的学生群体提供服务。 在2005年至2011年期间，54%的科学专业是女性，22%是代表性不足的种族。 西方一直是整合研究和本科教育的领导者，鼓励学生在整个学年与教师进行合作研究。 该学院赞助了一项年度夏季研究计划，该计划每年包括150多名学生和一项K-12科学教育计划，旨在为洛杉矶地区学校的科学教学职业做好准备。Leica TCS SP5 II光谱共焦成像仪器将帮助西方大学提高学生的研究质量和范围。 该项目将对保持西方学院卓越的研究和本科生培训产生长期影响，并支持人才和多元化STEM劳动力的发展和保留。

This project establishes a high resolution light microscopy imaging facility for biology and chemistry research and undergraduate research training at Occidental College. Grant funds will be used to purchase a Leica TCS SP5 II Spectral Confocal System for a shared microscopy core facility. Occidental faculty will use the SP5 Confocal System to study diverse problems in biology and biochemistry including the regulation of microtubules and axon outgrowth during C. elegans neural development, ion channel physiology in zebrafish, cone-snail prey-capture mechanisms, nutrient uptake and urease activity in tropical bromeliads, microbial symbiosis in newly discovered marine invertebrates, and the chemistry of bacterial biofilms. The imaging facility will update and greatly improve research and training capabilities, enable the current biology faculty to undertake new and collaborative research projects and provide undergraduate students with skills in advanced research technologies they are likely to use in their future graduate studies and work environments.Occidental College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college located in Northeast Los Angeles that serves a diverse student population. Between 2005 and 2011, 54 percent of science majors have been women, and 22 percent were underrepresented ethnicities. Occidental has been a leader in integrating research and undergraduate education, encouraging students to engage in collaborative research with faculty throughout the academic year. The college sponsors an annual summer research program that has grown to include over 150 students each year and a K-12 science education initiative to prepare recent graduates for careers in science teaching at Los Angeles area schools. The Leica TCS SP5 II Spectral Confocal imaging instrumentation will help Occidental improve the quality and range of research opportunities available to students. The project will have a long-term impact on maintaining excellence in research and undergraduate training at Occidental College and supports development and retention of a talented and diverse STEM workforce.