MRI: Acquisition of a inverted fluorescence microscope system to increase biological research at Linfield College

林菲尔德学院申请资金购买蔡司AxioObserver Z1倒置荧光显微镜系统。该系统支持DIC，相和荧光显微镜，并包括一个用于x， y和z平面自动分析的机动体，一个环境室系统和一个微注射系统。该显微镜系统将用于加强生物系教师的研究计划，并加强学院本科生研究人员的培训。该仪器将启用的研究项目包括：1)。破译体内microRNA活性的分子机制，确定特定microRNA在动物发育中的作用，2)。确定蛋白质磷酸化调控在人类和盘基骨菌模型中调节细胞运动的作用；3)研究海绵和海绵相关细菌群落在河口生境中营养通量的作用。参与学院实验室研究项目和课程研究项目的本科生将使用显微镜系统获取哺乳动物细胞的高分辨率图像，分析果蝇组织和细胞培养中的GFP报告和免疫荧光，以及海绵中细菌共生体的荧光原位杂交测定。接受该仪器培训的本科生将包括一系列初级到高级水平的学生，预计结合该仪器的研究培训将进一步提高学生的生产力和研究生课程的接受度。在过去的六年里，林菲尔德学院的生物系经历了一个重要的增长期，由于退休和增加新的教师队伍，导致雇用了五名新教师。在这些新聘用的教师中，有三名教师的研究包括荧光显微镜的各种应用。为了促进他们的研究，提高所有教师的生产力，并改善本项目本科生的研究经验，林菲尔德学院要求资金购买蔡司AxioObserver Z1显微镜系统，使教师和学生能够使用其荧光，DIC和相衬能力生成出版质量的图像。获得这一工具的目的是：1)使教师能够收集高质量的数据，公布他们的结果，并提高未来外部联邦资金支持研究项目的竞争力；2)通过为学生提供研究级设备来进行高分辨率、定量的细胞和分析，加强本系的教研结合工作；3)为本科生提供优秀的研究训练设施，为将来在生物科学领域的研究和医学相关职业做准备。部门吗?我们的研究与教育的整合导致了研究出版物和在国家会议上的演讲，以及学生申请和成功在国家层面的研究生和专业课程的出色成功率。在过去的五年中，大约有40%的毕业生继续攻读研究生或专业课程，随着新教师建立和维持他们的研究项目，这种模式的趋势正在增加。

Linfield College requests funding to purchase a Zeiss AxioObserver Z1 inverted fluorescence microscope system. The system enables DIC, phase, and fluorescence microscopy, and includes a motorized body for automated analysis in the x, y, and z planes, an environmental chamber system, and a micro-injection system. This microscope system will be used to enhance the research programs of faculty within the Biology department as well as to enhance the training of undergraduate researchers in the college. The research projects that will be enabled with this instrument include 1.) Deciphering molecular mechanisms of microRNA activity in vivo and determining the roles of specific microRNAs during animal development, 2.) Determining the role of phosphoregulation of proteins in regulating cellular motility in human and Dictyostelium models, and 3) Investigating the role of sponges and sponge-associated bacterial communities on nutrient fluxes in estuarine habitats. Undergraduate students participating in research projects in faculty laboratories and through curriculum-based research projects will use the microscope system to acquire high resolution images of mammalian cells, analysis of GFP reporters and immunofluorescence in Drosophila tissues and cell culture, and fluorescent in situ hybridization assays of bacterial symbionts in sponge. Undergraduates trained on this instrument will include a range of introductory through senior level students, and it is anticipated that research training incorporating this instrument will further enhance students' productivity and acceptance into graduate programs.In the past six years, the Biology Department at Linfield College has undergone a significant period of growth, due to retirements and addition of new faculty lines, resulting in the hiring of five new faculty members. Among these new faculty hires are three faculty whose research includes various applications of fluorescence microscopy. In order to facilitate their research, to increase the productivity of all faculty, and to improve the research experience of undergraduate students in this program, Linfield College requests funds to purchase a Zeiss AxioObserver Z1 Microscope System that will enable faculty and students to generate publication quality images using its fluorescence, DIC, and phase contrast capabilities. The goals in acquiring this instrument are to 1) enable faculty members to collect high quality data, publish their results, and increase competitiveness for future external federal funding to support research programs; 2) enhance the department's work that integrates education and research by providing students with research grade equipment to perform high resolution, quantitative analyses of cells and; 3) provide outstanding research training facilities for undergraduate students in preparation for future research and medically related careers in the biological sciences. The department?s integration of research and education leads to research publications and presentations at national meetings as well as an excellent success rate for students applying to and succeeding in graduate and professional programs at the national level. Approximately 40% of the graduates from the department in the past five years have continued on to graduate or professional programs, and the trend in this pattern is increasing as new faculty establish and maintain their research programs.