MRI: Aquisition of a Time-Resolved Confocal Microscope for Research and Education

蒙大拿大学将获得主要研究仪器（MRI）和化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）项目的这一奖项，获得一台时间分辨共聚焦显微镜。该仪器由脉冲激光光源和显微镜组成。显微镜检测光源照射后样品发出的光（荧光）。该仪器便于使用时间分辨荧光技术对细胞复合体进行单分子的研究。它将用于化学、生化和生物科学中分子和生物分子相互作用和机制的研究。该仪器将供本科生和研究生在他们的研究中使用。由于荧光显微镜技术广泛应用于生物技术和材料工业，这一培训将有助于他们未来的职业发展。此次收购将用于外展活动，包括招募美国原住民学生的项目。这项建议的目的是加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在(a)研究固定化双功能催化剂、光催化剂和金属传感器等领域；(b)研究细胞色素c与心磷脂纳米盘的结合和动力学；(c)研究生物胺、细胞外基质和神经元发育；(d)研究秀丽隐杆线虫干细胞调控因子FBF-2的动态定位机制；(e)研究Ric-8A活化g蛋白的机制和动力学。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) programs, the University of Montana will acquire a time-resolved confocal microscope. The instrument consists of a pulsed laser light source and a microscope. The microscope detects the light that is emitted (fluorescence) from a sample after irradiation by the light source. The instrument facilitates investigation of cellular complexes down to single-molecules using time-resolved fluorescence techniques. It will be used in the investigation of molecular and biomolecular interactions and mechanisms in the chemical, biochemical and biological sciences. The instrument will be used by undergraduate and graduate students in their research. This training will assist them in future careers as fluorescence microscopy techniques are widely used in the biotechnology and materials industry. The acquisition will be used in outreach activities including programs to recruit Native American students. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) studying immobilized bifunctional catalysts, photocatalysts and metal sensors; (b) studying binding and dynamics of cytochrome c on cardiolipin nanodiscs; (c) investigating biogenic amines, the extracellular matrix, and neuronal development; (d) investigating the mechanisms for dynamic localization of stem cell regulator FBF-2 in C. elegans; and (e) studying the mechanism and dynamics of G-protein activation by Ric-8A.