Research Infrastructure: MRI: Acquisition of a Biomolecular Imaging System for Research and Education

美国波尔州立大学（BSU）获得了一项奖励，以支持其获得基于激光的生物分子成像系统，以推进生物化学和分子生物学研究项目，并提高研究质量，扩大研究范围和学生培训。这种新的生物分子成像系统是一种重要的工具，它将使研究人员能够在分子和细胞水平上检测、可视化和量化蛋白质、核酸和其他生物分子，为下一代科学家的多样化群体提供广泛的实践经验可能性，并教学生用基于问题的学习模块进行批判性思考。生物分子成像仪将成为一种共享资源，不仅对BSU各院系，而且对包括安德森大学、泰勒大学、印第安纳卫斯理大学在内的地区大学以及印第安纳科学、数学和人文学院等高中的研究人员开放，从而产生重大的社会影响。利用这种独特的仪器，北外化学系和生物系的教师将通过积极参与一些外展项目来扩大他们的研究和知识的传播。这些项目包括化学研究浸入式暑期项目、路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟，以及一项针对高中生的“dna日”活动，鼓励他们考虑从事STEM学科的职业。这款最先进的仪器支持多种成像模式，包括红/绿/蓝和长/短波长的近红外荧光，染色凝胶中蛋白质的光学密度测定和荧光粉成像。至少有七个研究小组将使用BSU化学系和生物系的生物分子成像系统进行个人研究，研究培训计划和教学。新系统将推进研究人员的广泛和多学科的研究目标，其中包括(1)设计各种逻辑门控核酸复合物；(2)开发从天然糖脂中提取的新型分子探针；(3)了解载脂蛋白降解与胆固醇相关病理的机制；(4)揭示了非编码rna调控g -四重解旋酶活性的机制；(5)新型酶促催化剂现代表达体系的开发；(6)阐明了RNA修饰在真菌中的作用；(7)寻找mitoNEET（线粒体膜蛋白）如何在进化过程中作为氧化还原传感器的机制解释。这种新仪器的关键功能，如卓越的成像质量，高图像分辨率和更高的量化准确性，将有利于教师的研究目标。研究项目的成果将发表在同行评议的期刊上，并在研究人员各自领域的区域、国家和国际科学会议上发表。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to Ball State University (BSU) to support the acquisition of a laser-based biomolecular imaging system to advance biochemical and molecular biology research projects, as well as to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and student training. This new biomolecular imaging system is an essential tool which will allow researchers to detect, visualize, and quantify proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules at the molecular and cellular levels, opening a wide range of possibilities for hands-on experiences for a diverse group of next generation of scientists and teaching students to think critically with problem-based learning modules. The biomolecular imager will cultivate significant societal impact by becoming a shared resource open to investigators from all areas of scientific research not only across the departments at BSU but also from regional universities including Anderson University, Taylor University, Indiana Wesleyan University, as well as high schools such as The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. Using this unique instrumentation, faculty in BSU’s Chemistry and Biology Departments will broaden the dissemination of their research and knowledge by actively participating in several outreach programs. These programs include the Chemistry Research Immersion Summer Program, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and a “DNA-Day” activity for high school students to encourage them to consider careers in STEM disciplines.This state-of-the-art instrument supports multiple imaging modes, including red/green/blue and long/short wavelengths of near-infrared fluorescence, optical densitometry of proteins in stained gels, and phosphor imaging. At least seven research groups will use the biomolecular imaging system from BSU’s Chemistry and Biology Departments for individual research, research training programs, and teaching. The new system will advance investigators’ broad and multidisciplinary research objectives, which include (1) the design of various Logic Gated nucleic acid complexes; (2) the development of novel molecular probes derived from a natural glycolipid; (3) understanding of the mechanism of apolipoprotein degradation with relevance to cholesterol related pathologies; (4) uncovering details of the mechanism of modulation of G-quadruplex helicase activity by non-coding RNAs; (5) the development of modern expression systems for novel enzymatic catalysts; (6) elucidation of the roles RNA modification plays in fungi; and (7) searching for a mechanistic explanation for how mitoNEET (mitochondrial membrane protein) serves as a redox sensor across evolution. The critical capabilities of this new instrument, such as exceptional imaging quality, high image resolution, and increased accuracy of quantification, will benefit the faculty's research goals. The outcome of the research projects will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at regional, national, and international scientific meetings within investigators’ respective fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.