Confocal Imaging System

描述(由申请人提供)：这份修订后的申请寻求NCRR共享仪器拨款(SIG)计划的支持，以更新部门的多用户共焦显微镜成像设施。该设施目前在固定平台立式显微镜(奥林巴斯BX50)上安装了一个Bio-Rad 1024MP扫描头，以及用于传统单光子共焦显微镜的Kr/Ar激光器(Bio-Rad)。2004年，卡尔·蔡司收购了Bio-Rad的细胞科学部门，因此，对我们当前系统上的硬件和软件的支持正在逐步取消。到2007年，将没有服务合同，零部件的可用性也得不到保证。此外，我们一直无法找到能够提供服务和维护的第三方供应商。由于用户在大学内使用其他共焦成像系统的时间严重有限或无法使用，因此获得一个新的、得到充分支持的共焦成像系统对于在国家卫生研究院资助的该部研究项目的成像方面继续取得进展至关重要。我们将蔡司LSM 510确定为合适的替代品，因为它提供最先进的性能和足够的多功能性，可以满足多用户的需求。最后，蔡司正在提供大幅折扣，以鼓励Bio-RAD用户迁移到蔡司仪器，我们不知道这项政策将持续多久。神经生物学和解剖学系已承诺为共焦成像套件提供大量空间和支持。此外，该大学还承诺为该仪器的维护合同提供资金。目前的系统位于245平方英尺的空间内。经过广泛翻修的房间，以满足仪器的需要。通风系统得到了改进，以提供恒温和低湿度。对电气系统进行了改进，将敏感仪器与产生线路尖峰的电源隔离。对隔壁房间进行了改造，以便为共焦数据的离线分析提供一个方便的位置。此外，新闻部有一个既定的组织结构和用户共享系统，并将继续这样做。因此，对共焦成像核心的机构支持已经到位。相关性：用户群体的重点是单个神经元中的信号级联和形态变化。共聚焦显微镜是研究神经生物学中这些基本的重要过程的重要工具。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This revised application seeks support under the NCRR Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) program to update the department's multi-user confocal microscopy imaging facility. This facility currently houses a Bio-Rad 1024 MP scanhead on a fixed stage upright microscope (Olympus BX50) with a Kr/Ar laser (Bio-Rad) used for conventional single-photon confocal microscopy. In 2004, Carl Zeiss acquired the Cell Science division of Bio-Rad, and as a result, support for the hardware and software on our current system is being phased out. By 2007, there will be no service contract and the availability of parts is not guaranteed. Moreover, we have been unable to identify a third party vendor who could offer service and maintenance. Because user time on other confocal imaging systems within the University is either severely limited or unavailable, the acquisition of a new, fully supported confocal imaging system is critical for continued progress on the imaging aspects of the NIH funded research projects in the Department. We identified the Zeiss LSM 510 as an appropriate replacement because it offers state-of- the-art performance and sufficient versatility to meet the needs of multiple users. Finally, Zeiss is offering a substantial discount to encourage Bio-RAD users to migrate to the Zeiss instrument, and we do not know how long this policy will remain in effect. The Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy has committed significant space and support to the confocal imaging suite. In addition, the University has committed funds towards the maintenance contract of the instrument. The current system is housed in a 245 sq ft. room that has been extensively renovated to meet the needs of the instrument. The ventilation system was enhanced to provide constant temperature and low humidity. The electrical system was enhanced to isolate sensitive instrumentation from power supplies that produce line spikes. An adjacent room was remodeled to provide a convenient location for off-line analysis of confocal data. In addition, the Department has an established organizational structure and user-sharing system, which will be continued. Thus, institutional support for the confocal imaging core is already in place. Relevance: The focus of the user group is on signaling cascades and changes in morphology in individual neurons. Confocal microscopy is an essential tool for the investigation of these fundamentally important processes in neurobiology.