Live Cell Imaging Upgrades to Quorum Diskovery Spinning Disk Microscope System

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Imaging techniques that can precisely localize cellular structures, especially the distribution of protein complexes and components involved in cell-to-cell interactions, lie at the leading edge of cellular biology. The information gained by such approaches expands our fundamental knowledge of biology and furthers our understanding of the mechanisms that drive critical cellular processes. Having access to state-of-the-art, high-resolution microscopy for live cell imaging is essential to advance many biological disciplines and critical for making research breakthroughs. The equipment requested in this application consists of upgrades to an existing Quorum Diskovery Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System at the University of Guelph. This request includes lasers, a motorized stage and environmental controls to enhance the capabilities of this microscope and convert it into a state-of-the-art live cell imaging platform. These upgrades are essential to advance the applicants research projects, which include studying commensal and pathogenic bacteria, cellular signaling and trafficking events, and neuronal and stem cell development. This upgraded microscope will be housed in the Molecular and Cellular Imaging Facility and will be professionally maintained and fully accessible to University of Guelph researchers and the broader scientific community on a pay-for-use basis. In addition to the >40 HQP that will be trained from the applicants’ labs, the microscope will be become the primary confocal for the facility and will service over 200 users annually.