Acquisition of a Multi-Photon-Ready Microscope at Texas State University

德克萨斯州立大学圣马科斯分校获得了一笔拨款，用于购买多光子就绪显微镜系统，该系统由扫描共聚焦系统组成，可以通过未来增加红外线激光器转换为多光子能力。共聚焦显微镜使显微镜学发生了革命性的变化，它使科学家能够看到微小的、发出荧光的物体，即使它们离得很近（例如，相距万分之一毫米）。这一壮举之所以成为可能，是因为共聚焦显微镜使用光学技术来消除失焦光，从而产生非常窄的聚焦平面。他们使用数字图像从二维图像重建三维图像。除了产生令人惊叹的显微照片外，共聚焦显微镜还使科学家能够检查细胞中各种蛋白质和大分子之间的关系。新的共聚焦显微镜将促进德克萨斯州立大学的教学和研究，为不同的科学家。项目包括研究神经再生和参与动物、植物和细菌信号传递的蛋白质之间的相互作用。教职员工和学生来自附近的德州路德教会（约24%是西班牙裔）和圣玛丽？美国大学（约51%为西班牙裔）将研究细菌的进化和神经元发育的调节。德州吗?他的材料科学小组将使用共聚焦显微镜来更好地了解用于涂层火箭发动机的纳米材料的结构。在参与的大学里，教育与研究紧密地交织在一起，学生将进行大部分的研究。每年有超过20名研究生（目前17%是少数族裔，50%是女性）将在德克萨斯州立大学使用显微镜。因此，这一仪器将对下一代科学家的职业抱负产生重大影响。

A grant has been awarded to Texas State University-San Marcos to enable the purchase of a multiphoton-ready microscopy system consisting of a scanning confocal system that can be converted to multiphoton capability by future addition of an infra-red laser. Confocal microscopes revolutionized microscopy by enabling scientists to see microscopic, fluorescing objects even when they are very close together (e.g. 1 ten-thousandth of a millimeter apart). This feat is possible because confocal microscopes use optics to eliminate out-of-focus light, creating very narrow planes of focus. They use digital imagery to reconstruct three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images. In addition to generating stunning micrographs, confocal microscopy enables scientists to examine the relationships among various proteins and large molecules in cells.The new confocal microscope will promote teaching and research at Texas State University for diverse scientists. Projects include investigations of nerve regeneration and the interactions among proteins involved in signaling relays in animals, plants and bacteria. Faculty and students from nearby Texas Lutheran (~24% Hispanic) and Saint Mary?s Universities(~51% Hispanic) will study evolution in bacteria and regulation of the development of neurons. Texas State?s Materials Science group will use confocal microscopy to better understand the structure of nanomaterials used in coating rocket motors. Education is tightly interwoven with research at the participating universities, and students will be performing most of the research. More than 20 graduate students (currently 17% minority, 50% women) will use the microscope at Texas State each year. Thus, this instrument will have a significant impact on the career aspirations of the next generation of scientists.