Fluorescence microscope with image analysis system for the cytogenetic studies of germ cells.

带有图像分析系统的荧光显微镜，用于生殖细胞的细胞遗传学研究。

• 批准号: 439385-2013
• 负责人: TaketoHosotani, Teruko
• 金额: $ 9万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=505649
• 关键词: Fluorescence; microscope; image; analysis; system

We request a high-performance fluorescence microscope with an image analysis system. This microscope makes it possible to visualize specific molecules and structures within a cell, aided by the binding of fluorescent dyes. It is fully automated and integrated with its own computer system, which processes images for recording and analysis. Its function of overlaying multiple images allows the user to investigate the association between various molecules and structures. This requested equipment will facilitate and extend the following three research programs, which will use mouse models with the aim of understanding how genetic material is transmitted through the germ cells of parents to their babies: (1) A great many female germ cells (named oocytes) are initially produced, but the majority of them are eliminated before birth, thus limiting the reserve of future oocytes. Our first goal is to identify the cause and mechanism of this major oocyte loss. (2) Embryos inherit DNA from both parents. Paternal and maternal DNAs, however, differ with respect to their epigenetic marks. These differences are maintained in somatic cells but erased in primordial germ cells (future sperm or oocytes) in embryos, and new epigenetic marks are established during germ cell differentiation depending on the carrier's sex. Our second goal is to determine the timing of the establishment of epigenetic marks in the germ cells and identify the enzymes involved. (3) Mitochondria are cytoplasmic organelles essential for respiration in all living cells. They carry their own DNAs (mtDNAs) and are exclusively inherited from the mother. mtDNA proliferation, active in oocytes, stops after fertilization and restarts in embryos before their implantation. Our third goal is to define the regulatory mechanism of mtDNA proliferation in oocytes and embryos. Any errors in these three biological processes would result in infertility, embryonic death, or genetic disease. The trainees in our laboratories will get the opportunity to carry out experiments involving image analyses, which will help them to acquire expertise in any field of biology.

我们需要一台带有图像分析系统的高性能荧光显微镜。借助荧光染料的结合，这种显微镜使观察细胞内的特定分子和结构成为可能。它是完全自动化的，并与其自己的计算机系统集成在一起，该系统处理图像以进行记录和分析。其叠加多个图像的功能允许用户研究各种分子和结构之间的关联。所要求的设备将促进和扩展以下三个研究项目，这些项目将使用小鼠模型，目的是了解遗传物质是如何通过父母的生殖细胞传递给婴儿的：(1)最初产生大量女性生殖细胞(命名为卵母细胞)，但其中大多数在出生前就被淘汰，从而限制了未来卵母细胞的储备。我们的第一个目标是确定这种主要的卵母细胞丢失的原因和机制。(2)胚胎遗传自双亲。然而，父系和母系的DNA在表观遗传标记方面有所不同。这些差异在体细胞中保持不变，但在胚胎中的原始生殖细胞(未来的精子或卵母细胞)中被抹去，在生殖细胞分化过程中建立新的表观遗传标记，这取决于携带者的性别。我们的第二个目标是确定在生殖细胞中建立表观遗传标记的时间，并确定涉及的酶。(3)线粒体是所有活细胞呼吸所必需的细胞器。它们携带自己的DNA(线粒体DNA)，完全从母亲那里遗传。线粒体DNA在卵母细胞中活跃，受精后停止增殖，胚胎在植入前重新启动。我们的第三个目标是确定线粒体DNA在卵母细胞和胚胎中增殖的调控机制。这三个生物过程中的任何错误都会导致不孕不育、胚胎死亡或遗传病。我们实验室的学员将有机会进行涉及图像分析的实验，这将帮助他们获得任何生物学领域的专业知识。