MRI: Acquisition of a laser scanning confocal microscope system to advance research and training in biology, chemistry, and physics at Lewis & Clark College

位于俄勒冈州波特兰市的刘易斯和克拉克学院(L和C)将获得蔡司LSM 710共焦显微镜，这将使校园内至少六个不同的实验室(生物、化学和物理系)以及其他机构(分子生物科学和神经病学系)的两个合作实验室能够扩展和创新他们现有的研究项目。共焦显微镜是一种先进的荧光成像技术，与传统的荧光显微镜相比具有许多优势，是实时成像实验的一种特别强大的工具。启动的项目侧重于整个生物体(斑马鱼、线虫、酵母)和培养的神经元(小鼠)的活体成像。其中包括：1)一种强大的多色方法(Brain弓)，用于测试未成熟大脑中的新生细胞如何转变为有组织的神经回路；2)荧光共振能量转移(FRET)，用于研究酵母中核糖体成分之间的相互作用；3)光可转换蛋白，用于研究神经元活动期间海马神经元中因子的调节释放；以及4)活体斑马鱼成像技术，用于研究人类帕金森氏症基础蛋白的行为。主要研究人员有外部资助的积极研究项目，让本科生作为合作伙伴参与数据生成和在同行评议的期刊上发表文章。购买共聚焦显微镜将帮助这些实验室在利用和开发尖端实时成像方法的领域产生高质量的出版物。收购共焦还将产生一些重要的更广泛的影响。首先，未来几代科学家将有机会在他们的本科培训期间掌握现代成像方法。许多L大学的学生在获得竞争激烈的研究奖学金后，继续攻读博士学位，并在科学领域谋得职业。这在一定程度上可以归因于L公司对让本科生参与有意义的研究的强烈关注；在过去的五年里，超过90名本科生作为出版物的合著者做出了贡献。这些敬业和有能力的学生将通过在他们的课程和/或研究实验室中使用共焦系统来接受先进显微镜的培训。其次，L在培训传统上在科学界代表性不足的群体方面处于领先地位。L大学的自然科学专业拥有大量的女性专业。此外，L和C&C还成功地开展了一个由HHMI资助的暑期研究项目，该项目将来自代表性不足群体的高中生带到校园，进行为期8周的密集实验室体验。因此，共焦显微镜将影响大量选择从事科学事业的年轻女性，以及刚刚开始考虑未来培训方向的高中生。对于处于职业生涯关键阶段的学生来说，进行实时成像实验的机会往往是鼓舞人心的。最后，L和华特赛克图书馆数字计划的工作人员将帮助设计和建造一个在线公共画廊，展示使用共焦显微镜拍摄的精选图像和视频。因此，资助的设备有可能影响更广泛的社区，并增加公众中的科学文献

An award is made to Lewis & Clark College (L&C) in Portland, Oregon to acquire a Zeiss LSM 710 Confocal Microscope, which will enable at least six different laboratories on campus (in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Departments) as well as two collaborating labs at other institutions (in Molecular Biosciences and Neurology Departments) to expand and innovate their existing research programs. Confocal microscopy is an advanced fluorescence imaging technique that has a number of advantages over traditional fluorescence microscopy and is a particularly powerful tool for live imaging experiments. The enabled projects focus on live imaging, both in whole organisms (zebrafish, nematode, yeast) and in cultured neurons (mouse). Some of these include: 1) a powerful multicolor approach (Brainbow) to test how newborn cells in the immature brain transform into organized neuronal circuits; 2) fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study interactions among ribosomal components in yeast; 3) photoconvertible proteins to study the regulated release of factors in hippocampal neurons during neuronal activity; and 4) in vivo imaging techniques in living zebrafish to study the behavior of proteins that underlie Parkinson's Disease in humans. The principal investigators have externally funded, active research programs that engage undergraduate students as partners in data generation and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Acquisition of a confocal microscope will help these laboratories to generate high-quality publications in areas that utilize and develop cutting-edge live imaging approaches. The confocal acquisition will also have a number of important broader impacts. First, future generations of scientists will have the opportunity to master modern imaging approaches during their undergraduate training. Many L&C students go on to Ph.D. programs and careers in science after winning competitive research fellowships. In part this can be attributed to L&C's strong focus on involving undergraduates in meaningful research; in the past five years, more than 90 undergraduate students have contributed as co-authors on publications. These dedicated and capable students will become trained in advanced microscopy by using the confocal system in their coursework and/or research laboratory. Second, L&C is a leader in the training of groups that are traditionally underrepresented in science. The natural sciences at L&C boast large numbers of women majors. In addition, L&C runs a successful, HHMI-funded summer research program that brings high school students from under-represented groups to campus for an intensive, 8-week laboratory experience. The confocal microscope will thus impact large numbers of young women who have chosen to pursue a career in science, as well as high school students who are just beginning to consider the direction of their future training. The opportunity to conduct live imaging experiments is often inspiring for students at this critical stage in their career path. Finally, the L&C Watzek Library Digital Initiatives staff will help design and construct an online public gallery that will showcase selected images and videos captured using the confocal microscope. The funded equipment thus has the potential to impact the broader community and to increase scientific literary among the public