Confocal Microscope for University of Rochester Biology Dept

描述(由申请人提供)：本申请请求资金购买蔡司LSM510Meta共聚焦显微镜。该仪器的11个主要使用者是罗切斯特大学生物系的教员。其中包括由8名NIH资助的核心用户组成的核心小组，以及分别由NSF和NIH资助的另外3名用户。用户目前的项目包括：酵母和四膜虫中核运输和基因组包装的调控，脊椎动物和果蝇中细胞生长和衰老的分子调控，脊椎动物和果蝇中DNA修复和凋亡的调控，线虫神经元规格的调控，果蝇细胞器运动驱动运输的调控，以及中心体在蜗牛细胞不对称分裂中的作用。这些项目统一使用分子、遗传和生化技术来研究特定的基因产品如何影响细胞和发育过程。为了进行定量、动态分析和共定位研究，所有这些项目都需要使用最先进的共聚焦显微镜，该显微镜(I)可靠且易于使用(Ii)具有卓越的分辨率、扫描速度和灵敏度，(Iii)具有多个采集通道，(Iv)包括用于准确检测核DNA的UV激光线路。此外，通过实施光谱探测方法的能力，几个项目将得到极大的加强。所要求的仪器将取代第一代共焦显微镜，该显微镜目前存在于新闻部的一个共享成像设施中，并且即将达到其使用寿命的极限。该设施在当前仪器的维护和维护以及管理多个用户的访问方面有着良好的记录。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application requests funds for the purchase of a Zeiss LSM510 Meta confocal microscope. The eleven primary users of this instrument are faculty of the Department of Biology at the University of Rochester. These include a core group of 8 NIH-funded users and three additional users funded by the NSF and the NIH, respectively. The current programs of the users involve carrying out studies on the regulation of nuclear transport and genome packaging in yeast and Tetrahymena, molecular control of cellular growth and senescence, DNA repair and apoptosis in vertebrates and flies, regulation of neuronal specification in C.elegans, control of motor-driven transport of organelles in Drosophila and on the the role of the centrosome in asymmetric cell division in snails. These projects are unified in using molecular, genetic and biochemical techniques to ask how specific gene products influence cellular and developmental processes. In order to carry out quantitation, dynamic analysis and co-localization studies, all of these projects require access to a state-of-the-art confocal microscope which is (i) reliable and easy to use (ii) has superior resolution, scan speed and sensitivity, (iii) has multiple acquisition channels, (iv) includes a UV laser line for accurate detection of nuclear DNA. In addition, several of the projects will be dramatically enhanced by the ability to carry out spectral detections methods. The requested instrument will replace a first-generation confocal microscope that is currently present in a shared imaging facility of the department and that is reaching the limits of its useful lifetime. This facility has an excellent track record of care and maintenance of the current instrument, as well as of managing access of multiple users.