Microscope Imaging System Upgrade

朱博士的研究项目侧重于阐明人类细胞维持其基因组完整性的分子机制，完全依赖于宽视场荧光显微镜成像系统来捕获和分析细胞和DNA图像。这个成像系统已经有18年的历史了，随时可能发生故障。事实上，该成像系统的计算机工作站在2020年确实发生了故障。这一故障迫使朱博士实验室的学员停止了所有需要该成像系统的研究活动，严重阻碍了他们及时完成学业所需的研究进度。这一故障也影响了稿件修改和发表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，直到找到了一个临时解决方案。然而，这种临时解决方案随时可能崩溃。除了计算机工作站之外，成像系统的其他几个组件要么接近其使用寿命的终点，要么不再与新技术兼容，包括电源、相机和荧光滤光器。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光源和滤光片组等多个新组件。这次升级将使该显微镜成像系统再次成为朱博士未来几年研究计划中可靠的主力仪器。升级后的成像系统对学员的研究成果不受干扰，从而提高他们的研究竞争力，以及及时完成学位/学业至关重要。因此，升级后的成像系统对于支持和推进朱博士未来几年的研究计划至关重要。荧光显微镜成像系统广泛应用于大学、研究机构、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、生物工程和与健康相关的研究实验室。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。

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.