Acquisition of Light Microscope/Image Analysis System

本提案申请资金购买显微镜、图像分析系统和计算机，供8位科学家独立或合作进行5个不同的项目，以扩大和技术上加强正在进行的植物分子、细胞和发育生物学的基础研究。本研究采用实验方法，重点研究细胞和分子生物学，如叶绿体dna分子、热休克控制脱落机制的超微结构反应、细菌基因表达和木本植物坑膜的形成。能够进行定量形态测量和立体测量的图像分析系统对于成功完成研究至关重要。此外，研究各种细胞反应的拟议研究需要荧光显微镜。例如，免疫荧光显微镜将用于定位特定的细胞骨架蛋白，并可视化和量化与大豆脱落区靶细胞分化相关的亚细胞特征。

This proposal requests funds for the acquisition of a microscope, image analysis system, and computer which will be used by eight scientists working independently or collaboratively on five different projects to expand and technically enhance ongoing basic research in plant molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. This research is experimental in approach and focused on cellular and molecular biological interests, such as, chloroplast dna molecules, ultrastructural responses to heat shock mechanisms controlling abscission, bacterial gene expression, and the formation of pit membranes in woody dicots. An image analysis system capable of performing quantitative morphometric and stereological measurements is essential for the successful completion of the research. Also, proposed research investigating various cellular responses require fluorescence microscopy. For example, immunofluorescence microscopy will be used for the localization of specific cytoskeletal proteins and to visualize and quantify subcellular features associated with target cell differentiation in abscission zones of soybean.