Acquisition of a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope for Research and Training in Biology and Neuroscience at Davidson College

该合同支持购买共焦显微镜和成像站，这将大大扩展戴维森学院生物学和心理学研究实验室的几个研究领域。共聚焦显微镜将显著扩展研究能力，使实验室能够生成高分辨率图像，从而在遗传、分子、细胞和行为水平上贡献新的知识。具体地说，五个实验室的教职员工将研究以下问题：发育中的神经元如何获得其特有的形状；细胞如何分类和移动蛋白质；线粒体如何形成；受损的神经元如何萌发新的连接；以及耐酒精病毒中的蛋白质是如何改变的。此外，共焦显微镜设施还将大大加强对未来科学家的培训。理科教师积极地让本科生参与到研究过程的各个方面，因此，本科生将学习共焦显微镜的理论和实践，这是一种标准的和广泛使用的技术。学生将获得当代显微镜和成像技术，并亲身体验科学探究的过程和兴奋。对科学文献做出原创性贡献的能力将更好地培养学生在工程和生命科学领域的职业生涯。

This award supports the acquisition of a confocal microscope and imaging station that will significantly expand several lines of research in the Biology and Psychology research laboratories at Davidson College. Confocal microscopy will significantly extend the research capabilities by allowing labs to generate high-resolution images that will contribute new knowledge at genetic, molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels. Specifically, faculty and students in five laboratories will examine questions of how developing neurons obtain their characteristic shapes; how cells sort and move proteins; how mitochondria form; how damaged neurons can sprout new connections; and how proteins are altered in ethanol resistant viruses. In addition, a confocal microscopy facility will also significantly enhance the training of future scientists. Science faculty actively involve undergraduate students in all aspects of the research process, therefore, undergraduates will learn theory and practice of confocal microscopy, which is a standard and widely used technique. Students will acquire contemporary microscopy and imaging skills, and experience the process and excitement of scientific inquiry first-hand. The ability to make original contributions to the scientific literature will better train students for careers in engineering and the life sciences.