MRI: Acquisition of a confocal laser scanning microscope for research in the life sciences at Skidmore College

共聚焦激光扫描显微镜（CLSM）是斯基德莫尔学院生物学、神经科学和健康与运动科学课程中细胞和分子生物学研究的重要工具。培训和实践经验与国家的最先进的CLSM是本科培训的一个重要方面在斯基德莫尔学院。这种共享的工具支持教师和师生在不同领域的合作项目，如植物生物学，神经科学，哺乳动物生理学和微生物学。此外，它直接促进了斯基德莫尔科学家和来自世界各地的研究人员之间的积极研究合作。 Olympus Fluoview 1200共聚焦激光系统连接到BX-61光学显微镜上，用于多个研究项目，包括绿色藻类细胞壁动力学的全面研究，包括斑马鱼和C. elegans，肌肉萎缩的研究，小脑共济失调蛋白-1功能相关的细胞机制的研究，以及金属应激下细菌生物膜形成的分析。该仪器使当前用户和新教师能够通过其先进的光学和软件属性（例如，光谱成像、SIM扫描仪）。该显微镜也是支持多个合作研究项目的核心资源，涉及来自康奈尔大学、奥尔巴尼医学院、哥本哈根大学和爱尔兰国立大学等机构的斯基德莫尔教师和研究人员。此外，Fluoview 1200为斯基德莫尔的学生提供了极好的机会，使他们能够在课堂/实验室以及与教师导师在独立研究和夏季合作研究中的协作环境中获得实践CLSM经验，从而为毕业后的就业或高级学习机会做好更好的准备。 Fluoview 1200共聚焦激光系统用于多个外展目标。首先，在该项目中获得的数据和设计的协议正在用于几门课程，包括高级光学显微镜，植物生物技术和细胞生物学和S3M夏季过渡计划（专注于STEM代表性不足的群体）以及独立的学生为基础的研究。第二，显微镜也用于社区外展计划，包括约翰霍普金斯天才青年中心，斯基德莫尔科学和数学学者，诺思伍德营地，斯基德莫尔科学和数学开放日和SMIC日。这些计划为1 - 12年级的学生提供了参与实践科学的机会，包括拥有大量代表性不足群体的学校。此外，该仪器的可用性和有关它促进的研究的新闻的通知将通过学院与Bioconnex的成员关系在整个大首都地区的学术和生物技术界分发。

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is an essential tool for cell and molecular biology research in the Biology, Neuroscience and Health and Exercise Sciences programs at Skidmore College. Training and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art CLSM is an essential facet of undergraduate training at Skidmore College. This shared instrument supports faculty and faculty-student collaborative projects in diverse areas, such as plant biology, neuroscience, mammalian physiology and microbiology. Furthermore, it directly contributes to active research collaborations between Skidmore scientists and researchers from around the world. The Olympus Fluoview 1200 confocal laser system attached to a BX-61 light microscope is being used in multiple research projects, including a comprehensive investigation of cell wall dynamics in green algae, an elucidation of various dynamic processes in model animal systems, including zebrafish and C. elegans, a study of muscle atrophy, a study of cellular mechanisms involved in cerebellar ataxin-1 function, and an analysis of biofilm formation in bacteria under metal stress. The instrument enables current users and new faculty to implement more sophisticated experiments via its advanced optical and software attributes (e.g., spectral imaging, SIM scanner). This microscope is also a core resource supporting multiple collaborative research projects involving Skidmore faculty and researchers from institutions, including Cornell University, Albany Medical College, University of Copenhagen, and National University of Ireland. Furthermore, the Fluoview 1200 provides superb opportunities for students of Skidmore to gain hands-on CLSM experience in the classroom/laboratory and in a collaborative setting with their faculty mentors in independent research and summer collaborative research, better preparing them for employment or advanced study opportunities after graduation. The Fluoview 1200 Confocal laser system serves several outreach objectives. First, data obtained and protocols devised in this project are being used in several courses, including Advanced Light Microscopy, Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology and the S3M Summer Transitional Program (focused on STEM underrepresented groups) as well as for independent student based research. Second, the microscope is also used for community outreach programs, including the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, the Skidmore Scholars in Science and Mathematics, Camp Northwoods, the Skidmore Science and Math Open House, and SMIC Day. These programs provide opportunities for students from grades 1-12 to engage in hands-on science and include schools with large numbers of underrepresented groups. Furthermore, notice of the availability of this instrumentation and news regarding the research facilitated by it will be distributed throughout the greater Capital Region's academic and biotechnology community through the College's membership affiliation with Bioconnex.