Thin sectioning and microscopy lab for palaeobiology and other rare sample research

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The requested equipment will form the core of a thin section and microscopy facility for palaeobiological and other rare sample research. The proposed facility will enhance the Discovery Grant research programs of David Evans, Jason Head, Robert Reisz, Matthew Vickaryous, Jean-Bernard Caron, and Kimberly Tait. This facility will have two main components: 1) a thin-sectioning preparation lab, and 2) a microscopy system with digital imaging and analysis components. The thin sectioning laboratory, which will consist of a precision saw, lap and polishing tables, and a thin-sectioning machine, will be used to produce mounted thin sections of rare samples (fossils, meteorites) for examination under a microscope. The versatile stereomicroscope and digital camera system with software will be used to view and analyze slides prepared in the laboratory and to produce high quality images for publication. This facility will be used to generate data for the analysis of bone microstructure in dinosaurs (D. Evans and M. Vickaryous), fossil squamates (J. Head), and early amniotes (R.Reisz) in order to study the evolution of physiology, dental histology, and growth dynamics in extinct vertebrates. It will also be used to to study the histology and morphology of some of the earliest animal fossils from the "Cambrian Explosion" (J-B. Caron), as well as to characterize rare metoerites to gain insights into the origin of the solar system (K. Tait). This facility will be housed at the Royal Ontario Museum to ensure maintenance of the equipment, accessibility, and secure curatorial facilities to house the rare and valuable specimens. This equipment will greatly enhance the scope of existing research programs and form an integral part of student training in the topics of anatomy, physiology, osteohistology, growth dynamics, and developmental evolution as well as applied thin section preparation, microscopy, image generation and analysis.