A fluorescent microscopy suite for visualization of synthetic organelles and cells.

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This NSERC RTI application is requesting funds to purchase a Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E Imaging System to be used for synthetic biology projects that focus on the design, assembly and delivery of synthetic organelles to eukaryotic microorganisms. To achieve such goals, we will attempt to turn free-living microbes/cells into intracellular symbionts residing inside eukaryotic cells. These engineered organisms would be used in biotechnological and biomedical applications. To build our microbes/cells, we will take advantage of recently established breakthrough technologies (co-invented by the lead applicant) that allows the creation of designer genomes from synthetic fragments, followed by assembly of whole genomes in yeast, and installation of these genomes in the destination organisms. Our designer microbes/cells will be engineered with specific functions that can be analyzed by the state-of-the-art Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E Imaging System. This imaging system will accelerate research projects of a large group of investigators at Western University, as well as providing opportunities for hands-on HQP training in newly created Synthetic Biology education programs. The requested infrastructure will facilitate HQP recruitment for cutting-edge synthetic biology projects, positioning them for future success.