MOLECULAR IMAGING UNIT

作为一个团队，12位研究者监督着充满活力的研究项目，分享着互补的研究兴趣，并得到了MH机制的充分支持。该分子成像单元的设计由三个协同的设备模块组成。这些模块的结合充分利用了成像技术与用于研究细胞功能和基因表达模式调节的分析方法的戏剧性融合。随着各种世界范围的基因组计划接近成果，我们认识到独特的机会来检查亚基因组和最终基因组规模上个人研究问题的重要性。分子成像单元将加强我们目前的研究活动，并促进我们进入这个新的和令人兴奋的生物医学研究方向。第一个模块是分子动力学Storm 860磷成像仪/荧光成像仪系统，它将增强基于蛋白质和核酸印迹和凝胶的数据采集和定量分析实验。这个模块既填补了我们目前分析能力中的一个明显空白，又将扩大联检组其他模块的用途。第二个模块是通用扫描公司。ScanArray-5000微阵列幻灯片阅读器，它将允许使用基因微阵列技术对基因表达模式进行全面和定量的分析。风暴860系统将被证明是一个不可或缺的工具，可以充分利用我们的调查人员将通过微阵列分析收集到的大量信息。第三个模块是Arcturus激光捕获显微解剖PixCell II系统。该设备用于从复杂组织中提取单个细胞或细胞簇。然后，这些细胞内的蛋白质和核酸含量可以在亚基因组水平上进行进一步的分子分析，使用微阵列分析，或者使用Storm 860系统检查细胞中特定分子的调节。

As a group, the twelve investigators supervise vigorous research programs, share complementary research interests, and are amply supported by MH mechanisms. The design of this Molecular Imaging Unit is composed of three synergistic modules of equipment. The combination of these modules fully exploits the dramatic convergence of imaging technologies with the analytical methods used to study the regulation of cellular function and gene expression patterns. As the various world-wide Genome Initiatives are nearing fruition, we recognize unique opportunities to examine the significance of individual research problems on sub-genomic, and eventually genomic, scales. The Molecular Imaging Unit will both enhance our current research activities and facilitate our entry into this new and exciting direction of biomedical research. The first module is a Molecular Dynamics Storm 860 Phosphorimager/Fluorimager system, which will enhance data acquisition and quantitative analysis of experiments based upon protein and nucleic acid blots and gels. This module both fills a glaring gap in our present analytical capacity and will expand the utility of the additional modules in the Unit. The second module is a General Scanning Inc. ScanArray-5000 microarray slide reader, which will allow for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of gene expression patterns using gene microarray technology. The Storm 860 system will prove to be an, indispensable tool for full exploitation of the vast amount of information that will be collected by our investigators using microarray analysis. The third module is an Arcturus Laser Capture Microdissection PixCell II system. This device is used to extract individual cells or clusters of cells from complex tissues. Protein and nucleic acid content within these cells can then be subjected to further molecular analysis at either a sub- genome wide level, using microarray analysis, or to examine the modulation of specific molecules in the cells using the Storm 860 system.