MRI-R2: Acquisition of a Confocal/Multiphoton Microscope to Advance Cellular and Physiological Research at Marshall University

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。来自NSF MRI-R2项目的支持允许马歇尔大学购买徕卡TCS SP5 II AOBS和MP高端系统。该系统包括执行非常高分辨率成像的能力，以及非常快速的成像，用于快速检测，具有良好的时间分辨率，可以持续1毫秒或更短的快速生理变化。这些特点使得活组织荧光成像与马歇尔研究人员要求的其他生理技术相结合成为可能。新系统的初始用户组由5个主要用户和10个次要用户组成，代表来自5个部门的研究人员，项目涵盖神经生物学、遗传学、生理学、分子生物学和生物工程等广泛的生物和生化研究。主要项目利用多光子显微镜研究单个神经元的信号转导机制，并通过体内骨骼生长板成像分析环境变量对骨伸长的影响。其他受益于该仪器的高分辨率成像、多色通道、快速扫描和精确光学切片能力的研究项目包括：以果蝇为模型研究上皮平面内细胞的方向和形状；干细胞在组织中的整合与分化分析以及DNA损伤修复机制的评估。其他项目包括原生棘阿米巴原虫中重要细胞周期调节蛋白的细胞内定位；氧化膳食脂触发的分子信号传导竹节虫机体负荷调节的神经元机制以及单分子传感器系统的发展。新设备增强了尖端的研究项目和学生的研究机会。这些项目包括17名本科生和23名研究生。在马歇尔大学，共聚焦显微镜经常用于课程作业（实验室练习、顶点和独立研究项目），并作为拓展计划的一部分。这些项目包括WV空间资助联盟的NASA研究奖学金计划马歇尔分会；国家科学基金会肯塔基-西弗吉尼亚路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟；WV-IDeA生物医学研究卓越网络；少数民族学生生物医学暑期科研实习以及国家资助的马歇尔暑期本科生研究经历。此外，夏季桥梁项目让高中生、他们的老师和马歇尔大学即将升入大二的学生接触到包括共聚焦显微镜使用在内的前沿研究。出版和演讲是主要的传播标准，所有参与的教师都在国家和/或国际会议以及当地活动（如WV Capitol的本科生研究日）上支持学生演讲。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Support from the NSF MRI-R2 program has allowed Marshall University to purchase a Leica TCS SP5 II AOBS and MP High End System. This system includes the ability to perform very high resolution imaging, and very fast imaging for the rapid detection, with good temporal resolution, of fast physiological changes that can last 1 msec or less. These features thus allow the combination of fluorescent imaging in live tissues with other physiological techniques required by Marshall researchers. The initial user group for the new system consists of 5 major and 10 minor users, representing researchers from 5 departments, with projects that span a broad range of biological and biochemical research in neurobiology, genetics, physiology, molecular biology, and bioengineering. Major projects use multiphoton microscopy to study signal transduction mechanisms in single neurons, and to analyze the effect of environmental variables on bone elongation by imaging skeletal growth plates in vivo. Other research projects that benefit from the high resolution imaging, multiple color channels, rapid scanning, and precise optical sectioning capability of the proposed instrumentation include a study using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model to investigate the orientation and shape of cells within the plane of an epithelium; an analysis of stem cell integration and differentiation in tissues; and the evaluation of DNA damage repair mechanisms. Additional projects include the intracellular localization of an important cell cycle regulatory protein in the protist Acanthamoeba; molecular signaling triggered by oxidized dietary lipids; neuronal mechanisms underlying the regulation of body load in stick insects; and the development of single-molecule sensor systems. The new equipment enhances the cutting edge research programs and student research opportunities. The projects include 17 undergraduate and 23 graduate student researchers. Confocal microscopy is regularly used in coursework (laboratory exercises, and capstone and independent research projects) at Marshall, and as part of outreach programs. These programs include the Marshall Chapter of the WV Space Grant Consortium's NASA Research Scholarships Program; the NSF Kentucky-WV Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; the WV-IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence; The Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Internship for Minority Students; and the state-funded Marshall Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. In addition, summer Bridge programs expose high school students, their teachers, and Marshall's rising sophomores to cutting-edge research which includes the use of confocal microscopy. Publication and presentation are major dissemination criteria, and all participating faculty have support student presenters at national and/or international conferences as well as at local events such as Undergraduate Research Day at the WV Capitol.