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

美国国家科学基金会的主要研究仪器项目将使德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥三一大学获得尼康A1共聚焦显微镜系统。共聚焦显微镜技术可从活体或固定生物标本中获得高分辨率、三维、多色图像或视频。生物系统是动态的，并通过分子之间复杂的相互作用进行调节。共聚焦显微镜技术光学切片通过样品，最大限度地减少失焦光，以产生优越的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coPIs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、中枢神经系统的代谢和自噬、节段再生、微生物代谢物生物合成、氧化信号和线粒体功能、肌纤维类型分析和细胞迁移的数学模型。高速、多色、亚微米分辨率的三维重建技术允许在所有这些领域发现和分析复杂的生物现象。配备光谱探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征的染料。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准确、实时的光谱区分，以解决瞬态相互作用。环境室与完美聚焦系统相结合，使亚细胞成分的活细胞研究和分子相互作用的实时成像成为可能。尼康A1共聚焦显微镜系统将被安置在三一大学新科学与创新中心的成像套件中。成像套件将汇集三一大学的教职员工和学生研究人员以及来自当地机构的教职员工和学生研究人员，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。研究人员在吸引本科生参与他们的研究，并利用他们的研究项目为课堂和教学实验室开发创新的学习体验方面有着良好的记录。生物学、神经科学、数学和物理学的本科理科课程将体验到共聚焦显微镜在发现和调查中的应用。三一大学将举办一系列共聚焦显微镜研讨会，讨论该技术的理论和实践问题。研究人员还与当地的科学教育者和计划从事科学教育事业的本科生合作。

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.