Laser-scanning confocal microscope adaptation for multi-user

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This proposal requests funding for accessories that will allow the adaptation of existing equipment to create a multi-user laser scanning confocal microscope platform for the analysis of model organism development. The combined applicant laboratories study a broad range of fundamental questions relating to the processes of how cells and tissues respond to signals during development, with applications extending from the study of the establishment of cell polarity, to neural, retinal and muscle development and genetic control of neural tube defects, to systems biology approaches to the regulation of metabolism. The unifying theme of these research programs is the use of model organisms, which are amenable to the study of proteins at subcellular levels within the context of the intact, living animal, and the resulting effect of changes in these proteins on the dynamic structure of the tissues in which they are expressed. The key piece of equipment necessary for these studies is a laser-scanning confocal microscope with the capability to both image thicker specimens and to do time-lapse studies; a capability that is not currently available at the University. The basic microscope is being provided to the group by one of the co-applicants. We are requesting funds for accessories to allow this capability, to greatly increase the flexibility for a larger variety of research applications, and to facilitate multi-user image acquisition, processing and storage. These accessories include a high resolution digital camera, microscope objectives with a long working-distance, optical filters allowing the use of a wider set of fluorescent markers and a computer workstation with data storage and data security capabilities. By modifying existing equipment, we can achieve this goal at a fraction of the usual cost.