Essential upgrade to a cell culture imaging and recording rig to study the role of retinoids (Vitamin A metabolites) in nervous system function

我的研究项目是nserc资助的，研究维甲酸（维生素A的代谢物）对神经系统功能的影响。特别是，我们研究了维甲酸在神经元再生过程中对神经突生长（和生长锥转向行为）以及突触变化（可塑性）的新的非基因组效应。为此，我们利用已鉴定的软体动物淋巴停滞的成年神经元，因为这些神经元在体外再生和改造特定的突触连接。我的研究项目成功的关键是一个记录套件，包括配备荧光功能的蔡司倒置显微镜，以及精密的微操纵器和电记录设备，可以同时对培养的神经元、神经突或突触连接的细胞对进行电生理测量。这个设备现在已经有20多年的历史了（有些更老了），要么不再正常工作，要么完全失败了。这种录音设备是布鲁克大学唯一的一种。除了我自己的研究生和本科生（HQP）每天都需要，我在Brock的合作者（以及他们的HQP）也可以访问。目前，老旧失效的设备无法更换严重阻碍了我整个研究计划的进行，影响了我HQP的进度和产出，也对我的合作产生了负面影响。因此，我要求升级这台显微镜的成像能力，以便提供更合适和更复杂的能力来成像培养神经元中的各种信号分子（microRNAs， mrna和标记蛋白）。我也迫切需要新的精密微操作器和电记录设备来继续我们的电生理研究维甲酸对离子通道活性和突触功能的影响。在过去的20年里，所有在我的实验室接受培训的研究生，以及许多荣誉论文本科生和NSERC-USRA的学生，都接受过培训，并使用过这个记录和成像设备。作为我所在院系（以及数理系）唯一的女性神经生物学家，我是女学生的导师，并在我的研究项目的各个方面大力促进公平、多样性和包容性。总之，如果没有所需的设备，这个钻机将不再按预期运行，并将危及我在最近的NSERC发现拨款（2021-2026）中进行实验的能力，以及我继续培训HQP的能力。在我的实验室里进行的所有研究都是由NSERC资助的，并且只对NSE做出贡献。

My NSERC-funded research program studies the effects of retinoic acid (the metabolite of Vitamin A) on nervous system function. In particular, we study novel non-genomic effects of retinoic acid on neurite outgrowth (and growth cone turning behaviour) during neuronal regeneration, as well as during synaptic changes (plasticity). To this end, we utilize identified adult neurons of the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis, as these neurons regenerate and reform specific synaptic connections in vitro. Key to the success of my research program is a recording suite that consists of a Zeiss inverted microscope equipped with fluorescence capabilities, as well as precision micromanipulators and electrical recording equipment to allow for simultaneous electrophysiological measurements from cultured neurons, neurites or synaptically connected cell pairs. This equipment is now over 20 years old (some is older) and is either no longer functioning properly or has completely failed. This recording rig is the only one of its kind at Brock University. As well as being required daily by my own graduate and undergraduate students (HQP), my collaborators at Brock (and their HQP) also have access. At present, the inability to replace the old and failed equipment is severely hindering the progress of my entire research program, the progress and output of my HQP, and is negatively affecting my collaborations. I am thus requesting upgrades to the imaging capabilities of this microscope, in order to provide more suitable and sophisticated capabilities to image various signaling molecules in cultured neurons (microRNAs, mRNAS and tagged proteins). I also desperately require new precision micromanipulators and electrical recording equipment to continue our electrophysiological studies of the effects of retinoic acid on ion channel activity and synaptic function. All of the graduate students trained in my lab over the last 20 years, as well as many Honours thesis undergraduate students and NSERC-USRA students, have been trained on and have used this recording and imaging rig. As the only female Neurobiologist in my department (and indeed the Faculty of Math and Science), I am a mentor to female students and strongly promote equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of my research program. In summary, without the requested equipment, this rig will no longer be functioning as intended, and will jeopardize my ability to carry out the experiments outlined in my recent NSERC Discovery grant (2021-2026) as well as my ability to continue to train HQP. All of the research carried out in my lab is funded by NSERC and contributes solely to NSE.