Microscope Imaging System Upgrade

显微镜成像系统升级

• 批准号: RTI-2022-00370
• 负责人: Zhu, XuDong
• 金额: $ 3.43万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=743061
• 关键词: Microscope; Imaging; System; Upgrade

Dr. Zhu's research program, which focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which human cells maintain their genome integrity, is completely dependent upon a widefield fluorescence microscope imaging system to capture and analyze cell and DNA images. This imaging system is 18 years old and can break down at any time. Indeed, the computer workstation of this imaging system did break down in 2020. This breakdown forced trainees in Dr. Zhu's lab to stop all research activity requiring this imaging system and severely hampered their research progress needed for timely completion of their studies. This breakdown also disrupted a timely completion of cell biology experiments needed for manuscript revision and publication, resulting in a delay in dissemination. The breakdown lasted two months until a makeshift solution was found. However, this temporary solution can fall apart at any moment. Aside from the computer workstation, several other components of the imaging systems are either near the end of their life or no longer compatible with new technology, including the power supply, camera, and fluorescence filtersets. Therefore, it is quite urgent that this aging microscope imaging system receive a comprehensive upgrade involving multiple new components, including a computer workstation, image acquisition software, monochrome camera, LED light source and filterset. This upgrade will make this microscope imaging system once again be a reliable workhorse instrument in Dr. Zhu's research program for years to come. The upgraded imaging system will be critical to enabling trainees' research output without disruption, thereby enhancing their research competitiveness as well as completing their degree/studies in a timely manner. Therefore, the upgraded imaging system will be critical to supporting and advancing Dr. Zhu's research program for years to come. Fluorescence microscope imaging systems are widely used in biological, biomedical, bioengineering, and health-related research labs throughout universities, research institutes, hospitals, government agencies as well as industries such as biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The skill that trainees acquire through the use of this instrument will make them attractive to a wide range of employers that work with and/or require knowledge about microscope imaging.

朱博士的研究项目专注于阐明人类细胞维持基因组完整性的分子机制，完全依赖于广域荧光显微镜成像系统来捕获和分析细胞和DNA图像。这款成像系统已有18年历史，随时可能出现故障。事实上，这个成像系统的计算机工作站在2020年确实出现了故障。这一故障迫使朱博士实验室的学员停止了所有需要这种成像系统的研究活动，并严重阻碍了他们及时完成研究所需的研究进展。这一故障还扰乱了手稿修改和出版所需的细胞生物学实验的及时完成，导致传播延迟。故障持续了两个月，直到找到了临时解决方案。然而，这一临时解决方案随时可能瓦解。除了计算机工作站，成像系统的其他几个组件要么即将报废，要么不再与新技术兼容，包括电源、相机和荧光滤光片。因此，迫切需要对这一老化的显微镜成像系统进行全面升级，包括计算机工作站、图像采集软件、单色摄像头、LED光源和滤光片。这次升级将使这一显微镜成像系统在未来几年再次成为朱博士研究计划中可靠的主力设备。升级后的成像系统对于确保学员的研究成果不受干扰，从而提高他们的研究竞争力以及及时完成他们的学位/学业至关重要。因此，升级后的成像系统对支持和推进朱博士的研究计划在未来几年将是至关重要的。荧光显微镜成像系统广泛应用于大学、科研院所、医院、政府机构以及生物技术和制药公司等行业的生物、生物医学、生物工程和健康相关研究实验室。学员通过使用该仪器获得的技能将使他们对从事显微镜成像工作和/或需要显微镜成像知识的广泛雇主具有吸引力。