MRI: Acquisition of confocal microscopy system for dynamic imaging and analysis in research and learning at Trinity University

MRI：在三一大学购买共焦显微镜系统，用于研究和学习中的动态成像和分析

• 批准号: 1229702
• 负责人: Jonathan King
• 金额: $ 45.01万
• 依托单位: Trinity University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1229702&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Acquisition; confocal; microscopy; system

The NSF-Major Research Instrumentation program will enable Trinity University of San Antonio, TX to acquire a Nikon A1 confocal microscopy system. Confocal microscopy technology produces high resolution, three-dimensional, multicolor images or videos obtained from live or fixed biological specimens. Biological systems are dynamic and regulated through complex interactions between molecules. The confocal microscope technology optically sections through the sample, minimizing out of focus light to yield superior image quality and three-dimensional image reconstructions. The confocal microscope will allow investigators to determine spatial and temporal interactions through the use of multi-color fluorescence labeling. Research by the PI and four coPIs addresses a diverse array of biological problems, including epithelial cell junction homeostasis, metabolism and autophagy in the central nervous system, segmental regeneration, microbial metabolite biosynthesis, oxidant signaling and mitochondrial function, muscle fiber type analysis and mathematical modeling of cell migration. High-speed, multicolor, three-dimensional reconstruction with submicron resolution capability permits discovery and analysis of complex biological phenomena in all of these areas. The confocal system equipped with the spectral detector minimizes background signal and allows investigators to use dyes with overlapping spectral characteristics. Colocalization and molecular studies require the high-speed resonant scan-head and spectral detector for accurate, real-time spectral differentiation to resolve transient interactions. The environmental chamber in combination with the Perfect Focus system enables live cell research of sub-cellular components and imaging of molecular interactions in real-time. The Nikon A1 confocal microscope system is to be housed in the Imaging Suite within the new Center for Sciences and Innovation at Trinity University. The Imaging Suite will bring together Trinity University faculty and student researchers as well as faculty and student researchers from local institutions, including the University of the Incarnate Word and St. Phillips Community College, to address a range a biological questions requiring confocal microscopy. The investigators have an established record for engaging undergraduate students in their research and using their research programs to develop innovative learning experiences for the classroom and teaching laboratory. Undergraduate science courses in Biology, Neuroscience, Mathematics and Physics will experience how confocal microscopy may be used in discovery and investigations. Trinity University will host a series of confocal microscopy workshops for the area that address both theoretical and practical considerations for this technology. The investigators are also partnering with local science educators and undergraduate students planning careers in science education.

NSF主要研究仪器计划将使德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的Trinity大学能够获得尼康A1共聚焦显微镜系统。共聚焦显微镜技术产生从活的或固定的生物标本获得的高分辨率、三维、可重构图像或视频。生物系统是动态的，通过分子之间复杂的相互作用进行调节。 共焦显微镜技术通过光学切片的样品，最大限度地减少了焦点光，产生上级图像质量和三维图像重建。共聚焦显微镜将允许研究人员通过使用多色荧光标记来确定空间和时间的相互作用。PI和四个coPI的研究解决了各种各样的生物学问题，包括上皮细胞连接稳态，中枢神经系统中的代谢和自噬，节段性再生，微生物代谢物生物合成，氧化剂信号传导和线粒体功能，肌纤维类型分析和细胞迁移的数学建模。 具有亚微米分辨率能力的高速、可重构、三维重建允许在所有这些领域中发现和分析复杂的生物现象。配备光谱检测器的共聚焦系统最大限度地减少了背景信号，并允许研究人员使用具有重叠光谱特性的染料。共定位和分子研究需要高速共振扫描头和光谱探测器进行精确、实时的光谱微分，以解决瞬态相互作用。环境室与Perfect Focus系统相结合，可以对亚细胞成分进行活细胞研究，并实时成像分子相互作用。 尼康A1共焦显微镜系统将被安置在Trinity大学新科学与创新中心的成像套件中。成像套件将汇集Trinity大学的教师和学生研究人员以及来自当地机构的教师和学生研究人员，包括化身世界大学和圣菲利普斯社区学院，以解决一系列需要共聚焦显微镜的生物学问题。研究人员有一个既定的记录，让本科生参与他们的研究，并利用他们的研究计划，为课堂和教学实验室开发创新的学习经验。生物学，神经科学，数学和物理学的本科科学课程将体验共聚焦显微镜如何用于发现和调查。Trinity大学将举办一系列共聚焦显微镜研讨会，为该领域解决这一技术的理论和实践问题。调查人员还与当地的科学教育工作者和计划从事科学教育的本科生合作。