An Automated Research Microscope for Visualization and Analysis of Environmental Biological Samples

摘要Munakata马尔0070389一个自动化的研究显微镜与国家的最先进的数字成像能力将被用来支持各种各样的生物研究在科罗拉多矿业学院（CSM），研究，目前进行校外或根本没有。立即使用的显微镜将包括广泛的环境生物研究。 一个主要的应用将是使用荧光基因探针来识别天然土壤中的特定微生物，废水处理系统，产生或消耗温室气体的生物系统，以及生物修复系统。 例如，这些微生物从废水中去除氮，转化地下水中的氯化溶剂或砷，或产生甲烷或二氧化碳。 此外，荧光细菌将用于监测酸性矿井废水的处理以及饮用水和废水中病原体的去除。 最后，该显微镜将用于开发公共卫生和食品安全应用的细菌分析新方法。该显微镜将使CSM能够将微生物学与工程和其他科学更紧密地结合起来。 由于上述项目主要由工程师和化学家与微生物学家合作进行，因此执行复杂显微镜分析的能力将为工程和人类影响系统中的微生物影响和相互作用提供新的见解。 这些见解预计将对从饮用水安全到全球变暖等各个领域产生深远的影响。 此外，显微镜将在大学内产生重大影响。 科罗拉多矿业学院传统上专注于自然资源的有益利用，擅长采矿，地质工程和石油工程等领域。 CSM最近认识到生物科学的重要性，这台显微镜将为建立一个可行的正式生物学计划提供宝贵的支持。

Abstract Munakata Marr 0070389An automated research microscope with state-of-the-art digital imaging capabilities will be used to support a wide variety of biological research at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), research that is currently performed off-campus or not at all.Immediate use of the microscope will encompass a broad spectrum of environmental biological research. One major application will be the use of fluorescent genetic probes to identify specific microorganisms in natural soils, in wastewater treatment systems, in biological systems that produce or consume greenhouse gases, and in bioremediation systems. These microbes, for example, remove nitrogen from wastewater, transform chlorinated solvents or arsenic in groundwater, or produce methane or carbon dioxide. In addition, fluorescent bacteria will be used to monitor the treatment of acid mine drainage and the removal of pathogens from drinking water and wastewater. Finally, the microscope will be used to develop new methods of bacterial analyses for public health and food safety applications.This microscope will allow CSM to more closely integrate microbiology with engineering and other sciences. Because the projects described above are conducted primarily by engineers and chemists in collaboration with microbiologists, the ability to perform sophisticated microscopic analyses will provide new insights into microbial influences and interactions in engineered and human-impacted systems. These insights are expected to have far-reaching implications in diverse fields ranging from drinking water safety to global warming. In addition, the microscope will have a significant impact within the university. The Colorado School of Mines has traditionally focused on the beneficial utilization of natural resources, excelling in such fields as mining, geological engineering and petroleum engineering. CSM has recently recognized the importance of biological sciences, and this microscope will provide valuable support toward establishment of a viable, formal biology program.