ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE

描述（由申请人提供）：申请资金用于在华盛顿大学医学院为美国国立卫生研究院资助的研究建立一个综合原子力显微镜（AFM）设施。由于目前医学院校园内没有AFM设备，华盛顿大学其他地方的AFM设备已被充分利用，技术上已经过时，因此迫切需要更新AFM功能。该提案将支持22个NIH资助项目，其中6个主要用户（具有发表的AFM经验）和7个次要用户。计划中的AFM应用包括细胞运动学、细菌学、脑肿瘤生物学、微流体学和纳米技术。由于一个重要的研究重点是神经退行性疾病（如阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病）中的蛋白质聚集，AFM将由神经病学部门管理的跨部门研究单位——神经系统疾病希望中心获得。希望中心将为装修、服务合同和人员提供资金支持。在已建立的显微镜核心设施内安装将有助于用户培训、方案制定、调度、数据分析和传播。经验丰富的AFM技术人员将对用户进行培训和协助。AFM设施的强大技术专长由共同研究者Frank Yin（生物医学工程系）和Karen Wooley（化学系）提供，他们是目前华盛顿大学AFM实验室的主要用户。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Funds are requested to establish an integrated Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) facility for NIH-funded research at Washington University School of Medicine. There is a pressing need for updated AFM capabilities as there is currently no AFM on the School of Medicine campus, and AFM instruments elsewhere at Washington University are fully utilized and technically outdated. The proposal will support 22 NIH grant projects of 6 Major Users (with published AFM experience), and 7 Minor Users. Planned AFM applications include cell motility, bacteriology, brain tumor biology, microfluidics, and nanotechnology. Because an important research focus is protein aggregation in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, the AFM will be acquired by the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, an interdepartmental research unit administered within the Department of Neurology. The Hope Center will provide financial support for renovation, service contracts, and personnel. Installation within an established microscopy core facility will assist in user training, protocol development, scheduling, data analysis and dissemination. A highly experienced AFM technician will train and assist users. Strong technical expertise for the AFM facility is provided by co-investigators Frank Yin (Department of Biomedical Engineering) and Karen Wooley (Department of Chemistry), major users who operate current Washington University AFM labs. The requested instrumentation includes a Veeco (formerly Digital) Nanoscope V control station operating two scanning probe heads: PicoForce MultiMode (optimized for atomic scale molecular analysis), and BioScope II (for cellular imaging and simultaneous AFM/fluorescence imaging on a Zeiss Axiovert optical microscope), together with required equipment for vibration isolation and environmental control. The proposed configuration will allow optimal integration of optical microscopy and other AFM facilities at Washington University, with potential for significant future expansion as user needs increase.