MRI: Acquisition of a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer for High-Throughput Measurements of Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Respiration at Skidmore College

Skidmore学院获得了一项奖励，以支持购买仪器，通过两种主要输出测量来测量线粒体呼吸的细微实时变化：氧气消耗和细胞外酸化。96孔自动化格式允许高通量分析小样本量，高精度和高分辨率。该分析仪将被神经科学项目和生物、化学、健康与人体生理科学系的教师和学生用于基础科学研究、转化研究和教学。实验使用和数据分析将整合到本科科学课程的多个课程中，从而达到广泛的本科生用户。此外，该仪器将在斯基德莫尔科学与数学学者（S3M）的夏季讲习班上展出。S3M学者是正在崛起的二年级学生，他们是来自STEM中代表性不足的背景的优秀理科生。期望通过课程和S3M研讨会接触仪器和分析实践将引导学生在教师的指导下将仪器纳入他们的学生驱动的独立研究。该分析仪适用于各种样品，包括培养细胞，切除组织，细菌和小动物胚胎，使其成为斯基德莫尔教师各种研究兴趣的理想选择。PI和co-PI的直接研究用途包括研究神经元细胞中的线粒体功能，衰老对肌肉和内皮细胞的影响，鉴定和筛选秀丽隐杆线虫突变体中的新型呼吸基因，鉴定鱼鳃离子细胞代谢的内分泌控制，以及研究细菌中的金属稳态。该仪器的收购恰逢斯基德莫尔学院新综合科学中心的开放，这是一座新的科学大楼，将所有10个STEM部门和项目聚集在一个屋檐下。重要的是，关于共享使用仪器的智力价值符合学院在科学领域整合研究和教学的使命。此外，该仪器将有助于Skidmore科学家与外部研究人员之间现有的积极和未来的合作。关于新系统获得的数据将在同行审查的出版物和通过科学会议传播。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to Skidmore College to support the purchase of instrumentation for measuring subtle, real-time changes in mitochondrial respiration by two primary output measurements: oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification. The 96-well automated format allows for high throughput analysis of small sample volumes with high accuracy and high resolution. The analyzer will be used by faculty and students in the Neuroscience Program and the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Health & Human Physiological Sciences for basic science research, translational research and teaching. Experimental use and data analysis will be integrated into multiple courses across the undergraduate science curriculum, thereby reaching a broad array of undergraduate users. Furthermore, the instrument will be featured in summer workshops for Skidmore Scholars in Science and Math (S3M). S3M scholars are rising sophomores who are strong science students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. It is expected that exposure to the instrument and analytical practice through courses and the S3M workshop will lead students to incorporate the instrument into their student-driven independent research under the guidance of their faculty.The analyzer works with a wide variety of samples including cultured cells, excised tissue, bacteria and small animal embryos making it ideal for the various research interests of Skidmore faculty. Immediate research uses by the PI and co-PIs include investigation of mitochondrial function in neuronal cells, the impact of aging on muscle and endothelial cells, the identification and screening of novel respiratory genes in C. elegans mutants, identification of endocrine control of fish gill ionocyte metabolism, and investigation of metal homeostasis in bacteria. The acquisition of the instrument coincides with the opening of Skidmore College’s new Center for Integrated Sciences, a new science building which brings together all 10 STEM departments and programs under one roof. Importantly, the intellectual merit regarding the shared use of the instrument is in line with the College’s mission to integrate research and teaching within the sciences. Additionally, the instrument will contribute to existing active and future collaborations between Skidmore scientists and outside researchers. Data acquired on the new system will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and through scientific meetings.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.