Improvement in Biological Research and Education: Expanding Access to Scanning Electron Microscopy

奖项摘要-9977929此奖项将用于为加州科学院购买Leo 435 VP扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和相关计算机设备。 该显微镜将取代旧的，广泛使用的扫描电镜进行系统学，进化生物学，生物多样性，生态学和保护的研究。 扫描电镜在揭示、量化和诊断生物体的内部和外部结构方面是非常宝贵的。 扫描电镜的工作为建立原生生物、植物和动物的系统发育和进化关系的理解提供了基础数据。 加州科学院的研究人员通过同行评审的出版物与科学界分享他们所获得的知识和理解。为了实现科学院的研究和教育目标，需要更换现有的SEM。 首先，新显微镜的分辨率将大得多。 其次，新的SEM上的可变压力将允许检查没有导电涂层的标本，使研究人员能够检查学院许多独特和罕见的博物馆标本。 第三，新的SEM减少了电子充电，使精细结构的图像质量更高。 第四，新的扫描电镜将配备数码相机，用于制作图像。作为一个通过科学出版物和其公共博物馆传播科学信息的非营利研究机构，加州科学院对各级教育有着坚定的承诺。 新的扫描电镜安装完毕后，旧的扫描电镜会迁往博物馆的公众楼层。 经过培训的志愿者和实习生将通过SEM向参观者介绍微观生物及其结构。 新工具将继续用于培训下一代分类学家和系统学家。

Award Abstract - 9977929This award will be used to purchase a Leo 435VP scanning electron microscope (SEM) and associated computer equipment for the California Academy of Sciences. The microscope will replace an older, extensively used SEM to conduct research on systematics, evolutionary biology, biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. The SEM is invaluable in revealing, quantifying, and diagnosing internal and external structures of organisms. Work of the SEM provides the fundamental data for building an understanding of phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of protists, plants and animals. The knowledge and understanding gained by researchers at the California Academy of Sciences is shared with the scientific community through peer-reviewed publications.The existing SEM needed to be replaced in order to fulfill the research and educational goals of the Academy. First, the resolution on the new microscope will be much greater. Second, the variable pressure available on the new SEM will allow for the examination of specimens without conductive coating, allowing researchers to examine the many unique and rare museum specimens at the Academy. Third, the new SEM reduces electron charging, allowing higher quality images of delicate structures. Fourth, the new SEM will be fitted with a digital camera for the production of images.As a nonprofit research institution that disseminates scientific information through scientific publications and its public museum, the California Academy of Sciences has a strong commitment to education at all levels. Upon installation of the new SEM, the old SEM will be relocated onto the public floor of the museum. Trained volunteers and interns will introduce visitors to microscopic organisms and their structures through the SEM. The new instrument will continue to be used in training the next generation of taxonomists and systematists.