MRI: Acquisition of a high speed multiphoton laser-scanning microscope for research and training at UNLV

授予内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校(UNLV)一个高速多光子激光扫描显微镜系统，以用延时图像观察活组织中细胞的行为。UNLV是内华达州南部唯一的研究密集型大学，也是该州最大的大学。扩大联合国志愿人员研究活动的范围和影响是内华达州的一项高度优先事项，也是其使博彩和旅游业以外的经济多样化的计划的一部分。UNLV共焦和生物成像核心在广泛的生物、环境和工程应用中为激光扫描荧光显微镜提供培训和支持。来自联合国志愿人员组织和附近研究生专业大学的研究生接受定量荧光显微镜技术方面的基本和高级培训，从而推动发展多样化的科学、技术和经济研究人员队伍的国家目标。研究生使用核心仪器的大部分时间，并得到合作的本科生研究人员的帮助。此外，UNLV的其他本科生将通过高级实验室课程中的模块体验新的多光子技术。2015年，UNLV被评为美国10所最多元化的公立大学之一。UNLV也是一个为美洲原住民和太平洋岛民学生服务的少数群体服务机构，也是一个新兴的西班牙裔服务机构。将通过外展活动向附近高中和两年制和四年制大学的学生提供参观和示范。为了进一步招收更多的STEM学科的学生，将制作展示植物和动物组织内部工作原理的视频，并在克拉克县K-12教室播放。拉斯维加斯科学咖啡馆的类似演讲将通过向普通公众介绍活组织内细胞的迷人行为来提高科学素养。新获得的多光子激光扫描显微镜提供了先进的技术，可以从深度为1毫米的活组织获取图像。该仪器将设在UNLV共焦和生物成像核心，因此它将以先到先得的方式向内华达州的科学家和学生提供。这种仪器的问世消除了将样本运送到其他州的障碍，使内华达州的研究人员能够在新的灵敏度和深度水平上研究生命系统。这种高速成像技术减少了组织损伤，提高了敏感度，可以在几秒钟到几小时的时间内检测到快速变化的过程。这种类型的成像正在推动关于大脑以及细胞如何协同工作来构建许多其他器官的架构的意想不到的发现。多光子激光扫描显微镜的先进能力将被用于研究广泛的生物和工程系统，例如腺体分泌的激素控制、活的小鼠脑片的电振荡、眼睛组织的修复和再生、生物污损细菌的组织以及机器人和纳米技术的聚合物的电活性。

An award is made to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to acquire a high-speed multiphoton laser scanning microscope system to view the behaviors of cells in living tissues with time-lapse images. UNLV is the only research-intensive university in southern Nevada, and the largest in the state. Expansion of the scope and impact of UNLV research activities is a high priority for the State of Nevada, and part of its plan to diversify the economy beyond the gaming and tourism industries. The UNLV Confocal and Biological Imaging Core provides training and support for laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy in a wide array of biological, environmental, and engineering applications. Graduate students from across UNLV and nearby post-graduate professional universities receive basic and advanced training in quantitative fluorescence microscopy techniques, advancing the national goal of developing a diverse STEM workforce. Graduate students use the majority of Core instrument time, and are assisted by collaborating undergraduate researchers. In additional, other undergraduate UNLV students will experience the new multiphoton technology through modules in advanced laboratory coursework. In 2015, UNLV was ranked as one of the 10-most diverse public universities in the US. UNLV is also a Minority-Serving Institution for Native American and Pacific Islander students and an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. Tours and demonstrations will be provided to students from nearby high schools and two-year and four-year colleges through outreach activities. To further recruit a diverse range of students to STEM disciplines, videos showing the inner workings of plant and animal tissues will be developed and presented in Clark County K-12 classrooms. Similar presentations for Science Café Las Vegas will enhance scientific literacy by introducing the lay public to the fascinating behaviors of cells within living tissues. The newly acquired multiphoton laser scanning microscope provides advanced technology to obtain images from living tissues to depths of 1 mm. This instrument will be located in the UNLV Confocal and Biological Imaging Core, so that it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to scientists and students across Nevada. Availability of this instrument eliminates the barrier of transporting samples to other states, and enables Nevada researchers to study living systems at new levels of sensitivity and depth. The high-speed imaging technology decreases tissue damage and increases sensitivity, allowing detection of fast-changing processes over periods of seconds to hours. This type of imaging is driving unexpected discoveries about the brain and how cells work together to build the architecture of many other organs. The advanced capabilities of multiphoton laser scanning microscopy will be used to study a wide range of biological and engineering systems, such as hormonal control of gland secretion, electrical oscillations in living mouse brain slices, repair and regeneration of eye tissues, organization of bio-fouling bacteria, and electrical activity of polymers for robotics and nanotechnology.