Spinning disk confocal system

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The Institute of Neuropathology, the Institute of Human Genetics, and the Institute of Cell Biology jointly apply for a Spinning disk confocal microscope with two CMOS cameras and a solid state ablation laser with integrated FRAP-laser. By simultaneously imaging two channels, the modern dual camera system allows real time analysis of subcellular structures and processes in living cells and organisms with high resolution. The dynamics of structures and processes can simultaneously be determined by FRAP. Furthermore, the microscope with allow to integrate the zebrafish model in the analysis of disease mechanisms at the RWTH. The ablation laser will allow to modulate subcellular structures, for example it will be possible to determine the consequences of modulating cytoskeleton or cellular extensions like axons. A confocal microscope that can fulfill these tasks does currently not exist at the medical faculty or the RWTH Aachen. The main focus of the planned studies will be on neurological diseases, especially hereditary diseases of peripheral nerves and skeletal muscle as well as neurodegenerative disorders. The applicants have longstanding experience in studying neurological diseases and in using confocal microscopy. The results of these studies have contributed to several high impact publications, some of them in collaborations of the involved institutions. Investing in the Spinning disk confocal system is necessary to continue and extend our projects. It will also allow the IZKF-joint research project „sodium channel-associated pain disorders“ (Human Genetics and others) and other groups to combine temporally and spatially highly resolved modern fluorescent confocal imaging combined with in vivo-laser manipulation of subcellular structures.