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项目中细胞和分子生物学研究的重要工具。使用最先进的CLSM进行培训和实践经验是斯基德莫尔学院本科生培训的一个基本方面。这一共享仪器支持不同领域的教职员工和师生合作项目，如植物生物学、神经科学、哺乳动物生理学和微生物学。此外，它还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。与BX-61光学显微镜相连的奥林巴斯FluoView 1200共焦激光系统正被用于多个研究项目，包括全面调查绿藻的细胞壁动力学，阐明包括斑马鱼和线虫在内的动物模型系统中的各种动态过程，肌肉萎缩研究，参与小脑ataxin-1功能的细胞机制研究，以及分析金属胁迫下细菌中生物膜的形成。该仪器通过其先进的光学和软件属性(例如，光谱成像、SIM扫描仪)，使现有用户和新教师能够实施更复杂的实验。该显微镜也是支持多个合作研究项目的核心资源，该项目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绝佳的机会，让他们在课堂/实验室以及在独立研究和暑期合作研究的教师导师的协作环境中获得实践CLSM经验，为毕业后的就业或深造机会做好更好的准备。FluoView 1200共焦激光系统服务于多个外展目标。首先，在这个项目中获得的数据和设计的方案被用于几门课程，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(重点是STEM代表性不足的群体)以及用于以学生为基础的独立研究。其次，显微镜还用于社区推广计划，包括约翰霍普金斯青年才华中心、斯基德莫尔科学和数学学者奖、诺斯伍兹营、斯基德莫尔科学和数学开放日和中芯国际日。这些计划为1-12年级的学生提供从事实践科学的机会，并包括有大量代表不足的群体的学校。此外，将通过学院与BioconneX的成员关系，在整个大都会地区的学术和生物技术社区分发关于该仪器可用的通知和有关该仪器促进的研究的新闻。

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.