MRI: Track1 Acquisition of a Confocal High Content Screening System to Enhance Bioengineering and Biomedical Research.

请拨资金购买和安装一套Opera Phenix Conocus高内容放映系统。该设备将促进新的合作，以解决从分子生物学到环境工程等领域的重要问题。该团队将使用该设备回答以下研究问题：(1)生命在极端环境中的生存；(2)用于补救漏油的更有效分散剂的设计；(3)细胞和生物膜在不同表面(包括水过滤系统)上的生长；(4)气雾剂药物在癌症治疗中的使用；(5)组织修复和再生的动态复杂性；以及(6)纳米材料疗法和传感器与人体细胞之间的相互作用。这些设备将被安置在一个最先进的成像设施中，该设施将为学生和行业专业人员提供培训研讨会，并通过全州和全国网络提供外部服务。研究人员还将通过一项名为“看不见的图像”的新开放活动接触到普通观众，这将突出这一倡议的工作。该仪器还将在校园以外产生积极影响，推动地区学院和大学参与的研究和教育活动，与行业合作，并在当地中学扩大推广计划。由于其高通量能力，建议的仪器将允许快速研究细胞和细胞成分的许多表型和分子特征。在这次合作中，调查人员已经确定了9个高影响项目，其中这种激光扫描共聚焦高内容物筛选系统的独特能力至关重要。从这种时间分辨和参数控制的设备中获得的数据将有助于材料的设计和活动的实施，包括基于下一代纳米技术的生物传感器、生物污垢控制剂、新的Fanconi贫血基因的发现、药物输送策略和新型生物材料。参与研究的10名研究人员将利用新能力在细胞和分子生物学、纳米医学、纳米毒理学、地球生物学、材料合成、生物材料、再生生物学和环境工程等领域进行持续资助的研究。除了这些领域，该仪器还将通过全州范围的研究网络和罗德岛纳米科学和纳米技术联盟，促进与其他研究领域的校内外合作。研究小组在教育和外展活动方面有广泛的记录。该设备的应用和成果将拓宽和丰富课程开发、指导和外展活动。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Funds are requested for the purchase and installation of an Opera Phenix Confocal High Content Screening System. This equipment will facilitate new collaborations to address important questions in fields ranging from molecular biology to environmental engineering. The team will use this equipment to answer research questions regarding: (1) the survival of life in extreme environments, (2) the design of more efficient dispersants for use in remediating oil spills, (3) the growth of cell and biofilm on diverse surfaces including water filtration systems, (4) the use of aerosol medicines in cancer treatments, (5) the dynamic complexities of tissue repair and regeneration, and (6) the interactions between nanomaterial therapeutics and sensors and human cells. The equipment will be housed in a state-of-the-art imaging facility that will offer training workshops for students and industry professionals, and provide external services through state-wide and national networks. The researchers will also reach general audiences through a new open-house activity called "Images of the Invisible," which will highlight the work of this initiative. This instrument will also have a positive impact beyond campus, fueling research and education initiatives involving regional colleges and universities, collaborations with industry, and growing outreach programs in local secondary schools.The proposed instrument will allow for the rapid study of many phenotypic and molecular features of cells and cell components because of its high throughput capabilities. Nine high-impact projects have been identified by investigators in this collaboration, where the unique capabilities of this laser scanning confocal high-content screening system are essential. The data obtained from this time-resolved and parameter-controlled equipment will be beneficial in the design of materials and implementation of activities, including next-generation nanotechnology-based biosensors, biofouling control agents, discovery of new Fanconi anemia genes, drug delivery strategies, and novel biomaterials. The ten participating investigators will perform ongoing funded research in areas of cell and molecular biology, nanomedicine, nanotoxicology, geobiology, materials synthesis, biomaterials, regenerative biology, and environmental engineering using the new capabilities. Beyond these areas, the instrument will promote on- and off-campus collaborations with other fields of research through statewide research networks and the Rhode Island Consortium for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The research team has an extensive record of education and outreach activities. The applications and results obtained from this equipment will broaden and enrich curriculum development, mentoring, and outreach activities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.