Research Infrastructure: MRI: Acquisition of a Biomolecular Imaging System for Research and Education

鲍尔州立大学(BSU)被授予支持购买基于激光的生物分子成像系统，以推进生物化学和分子生物学研究项目，以及提高研究质量和扩大研究和学生培训范围。这一新的生物分子成像系统是一个重要的工具，它将使研究人员能够在分子和细胞水平上检测、可视化和量化蛋白质、核酸和其他生物分子，为不同的下一代科学家群体打开实践体验的广泛可能性，并教会学生使用基于问题的学习模块进行批判性思考。生物分子成像仪将成为一种共享资源，不仅向北卡罗来纳州立大学各系的所有科研领域的研究人员开放，还将向安德森大学、泰勒大学、印第安纳卫斯理大学等地区性大学以及印第安纳科学、数学和人文学院等高中开放，从而产生重大的社会影响。使用这一独特的工具，北卡罗来纳州立大学化学和生物系的教员将通过积极参与几个外展项目来扩大他们的研究和知识的传播。这些项目包括化学研究沉浸式暑期计划、路易斯·斯托克斯少数人参与联盟，以及为高中生举办的“DNA日”活动，以鼓励他们考虑从事STEM学科的职业。这台最先进的仪器支持多种成像模式，包括红/绿/蓝和长/短波长的近红外荧光，染色凝胶中蛋白质的光学密度测定，以及荧光粉成像。至少有七个研究小组将使用北卡罗来纳大学化学和生物系的生物分子成像系统进行个人研究、研究培训计划和教学。新系统将推进研究人员广泛和多学科的研究目标，包括：(1)设计各种逻辑门控核酸复合体；(2)开发来自天然糖脂的新型分子探针；(3)了解载脂蛋白降解与胆固醇相关的病理机制；(4)揭示非编码RNA调节G-四链解旋酶活性的详细机制；(5)开发新型酶催化剂的现代表达系统；(6)阐明RNA修饰在真菌中所起的作用；以及(7)为线粒体膜蛋白(Mitoneet)如何在进化过程中充当氧化还原感受器寻找机制解释。这种新仪器的关键功能，如出众的成像质量、高图像分辨率和更高的量化精度，将有助于教师的研究目标。研究项目的成果将发表在同行评议的期刊上，并在研究人员各自领域的区域、国家和国际科学会议上公布。这一奖项反映了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。

An award is made to Ball State University (BSU) to support the acquisition of a laser-based biomolecular imaging system to advance biochemical and molecular biology research projects, as well as to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and student training. This new biomolecular imaging system is an essential tool which will allow researchers to detect, visualize, and quantify proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules at the molecular and cellular levels, opening a wide range of possibilities for hands-on experiences for a diverse group of next generation of scientists and teaching students to think critically with problem-based learning modules. The biomolecular imager will cultivate significant societal impact by becoming a shared resource open to investigators from all areas of scientific research not only across the departments at BSU but also from regional universities including Anderson University, Taylor University, Indiana Wesleyan University, as well as high schools such as The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. Using this unique instrumentation, faculty in BSU’s Chemistry and Biology Departments will broaden the dissemination of their research and knowledge by actively participating in several outreach programs. These programs include the Chemistry Research Immersion Summer Program, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and a “DNA-Day” activity for high school students to encourage them to consider careers in STEM disciplines.This state-of-the-art instrument supports multiple imaging modes, including red/green/blue and long/short wavelengths of near-infrared fluorescence, optical densitometry of proteins in stained gels, and phosphor imaging. At least seven research groups will use the biomolecular imaging system from BSU’s Chemistry and Biology Departments for individual research, research training programs, and teaching. The new system will advance investigators’ broad and multidisciplinary research objectives, which include (1) the design of various Logic Gated nucleic acid complexes; (2) the development of novel molecular probes derived from a natural glycolipid; (3) understanding of the mechanism of apolipoprotein degradation with relevance to cholesterol related pathologies; (4) uncovering details of the mechanism of modulation of G-quadruplex helicase activity by non-coding RNAs; (5) the development of modern expression systems for novel enzymatic catalysts; (6) elucidation of the roles RNA modification plays in fungi; and (7) searching for a mechanistic explanation for how mitoNEET (mitochondrial membrane protein) serves as a redox sensor across evolution. The critical capabilities of this new instrument, such as exceptional imaging quality, high image resolution, and increased accuracy of quantification, will benefit the faculty's research goals. The outcome of the research projects will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at regional, national, and international scientific meetings within investigators’ respective fields.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.