Motorized rotary microtome

本提案中要求的设备将使卡尔顿大学生物系的研究人员能够对各种动植物组织进行组织学研究。所要求的电动旋转切片机具有高度通用性，因为其设计用于切片通常包埋在石蜡中的软组织（例如神经系统、叶子）以及必须包埋在环氧树脂（塑料）中的硬组织（例如昆虫表皮、种子）。树脂包埋材料还能显示出更好的细胞细节，使研究人员能够三维重建复杂的组织，如昆虫的感觉器官和植物胚胎。一个电动旋转切片机是迫切需要的，以适应研究人员需要切片树脂包埋标本，并适应大量的石蜡组织学，现在正在进行的一个部门切片机能够切片石蜡块。Yack博士的团队将每天使用该设备来描述和阐明无脊椎动物（例如破坏性的树皮甲虫，蚯蚓，蝴蝶）中新型声学感觉器官和发声结构的功能组织。本研究将有助于我们对动物通讯系统和感觉系统的了解，并将在昆虫生物控制和微型传感器方面有所应用。罗兰博士和赫普沃思博士将分别用这台切片机研究植物保护屏障和植物发育。他们的研究计划有助于作物和零售植物的分子育种计划，以提高产量，耐寒性和观赏新奇。所要求的设备将直接支持雅克博士、罗兰博士和赫普沃思博士的研究项目，并将补充偶尔需要使用组织学设施的其他教员（伯特伦博士、福布斯博士、史密斯博士和其他人）的研究项目。购置这一新设备将支持每年约20名学生的研究和培训。

The equipment requested in this proposal will enable researchers in the Biology Department at Carleton University to conduct histological studies on a wide range of animal and plant tissues. The motorized rotary microtome requested is highly versatile in that it is designed to section soft tissues (e.g. nervous system, leaves) that are typically embedded in paraffin wax, as well as hard tissues (e.g. insect cuticle, seeds) that must be embedded in epoxy-resin (plastic). Resin-embedded materials also display better cellular details and enable researchers to reconstruct complex tissues such as insect sensory organs and plant embryos in 3 dimensions. A motorized rotary microtome is urgently needed to accommodate researchers that need to section resin-embedded specimens, and to accommodate the high volume of paraffin histology now being carried out on a single departmental microtome capable of sectioning only paraffin blocks. Dr. Yack's group will use this equipment on a daily basis to describe and elucidate the functional organization of novel acoustic sensory organs and sound producing structures in invertebrates (e.g. destructive bark beetles, earthworms, butterflies). This research will contribute to our knowledge of animal communication systems and sensory systems, and have application to insect biocontrol and miniature sensing devices. Drs. Rowland and Hepworth will use this microtome to study plant protective barriers and plant development respectively. Their research programs contribute to the molecular breeding programs of crop and retail plants for enhanced yield, hardiness, and ornamental novelty. The requested equipment will directly support the research programs of Drs. Yack, Rowland and Hepworth, and will supplement research programs of other faculty members (Drs. Bertram, Forbes, Smith and others) who require usage of a histology facility on an occasional basis. The acquisition of this new equipment will support the research and training of an estimated 20 students each year.