Laser Scanning Confocal Imaging System

描述(由申请人提供)：这是一个灵活的，模块化的系统，用于细胞和组织的共聚焦扫描显微镜。该系统利用了光学显微镜技术的几个最新进展，并将允许未来的方法集成在一起。基于我们核心设施中已经使用的成熟技术，蔡司LSM 510系统包括用于仪器控制和数据处理的强大、用户友好的软件。采集、处理、存储和可视化以及广泛的量化可以很容易地在共焦光学切片、体数据集和时间推移序列上进行。该系统增加了光谱分析和自动x-y平台移动等功能，将使用户组的所有成员和大学的其他成员都可以使用最现代的光学显微镜技术。用户在光学和电子显微镜方面拥有广泛的专业知识，并发现在大多数情况下，共焦显微镜是对生物材料进行三维成像的首选方法(例如，在组织切片、胚胎、细胞聚集体或圆形细胞内)。时间推移成像和光学切片将应用于广泛的生物系统，包括细胞迁移、细胞极性、细胞器运动、细胞分裂和分化过程中的细胞骨架重排，以及发育过程中的图案形成、信号转导和蛋白质表达。在所有情况下，都非常强调这些细胞过程中的分子机制(例如信号转导事件、翻译后蛋白质修饰和细胞骨架特定元件的作用)。这些项目还将开发更好的方法，将光学显微镜与酵母菌和网柄金丝藻遗传学相结合。尽管用户组的几乎每个成员都有一台传统显微镜并可以使用共焦显微镜，但没有一个人有足够的机会使用共焦成像系统。因此，所要求的设备将增强用户组完成正在进行的项目的能力，允许启动新项目，并避免重复劳动和费用。最后，由于兼容的荧光探针的可用性往往限制了实验选择，该系统的光谱分析能力将极大地扩大可能的研究范围。该仪器将被纳入一个管理良好的现有核心设施，自1997年成立以来一直由P.I.指导。作为我们光学显微镜设施的一个组成部分，该仪器将向用户组成员和整个大学的其他人开放，以促进合作和思想交流。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a request for a flexible, modular system for confocal scanning microscopy of cells and tissues. The system takes advantage of several recent advances in optical microscopy techniques, and will allow for integration of future methods as they become available. Based on proven technology already in use in our core facility, the Zeiss LSM 510 system includes robust, user-friendly software for instrument control and data processing. Acquisition, processing, storage and visualization, as well as extensive quantitation, can be easily carried out on confocal optical sections, volume data sets, and time-lapse series. With added features such as spectral analysis and automated x-y stage movement, the system will make the most modem optical microscopy techniques available to all members of the user group and to others at the University. The users have extensive expertise in light and electron microscopy and find that in most cases, confocal microscopy is the method of choice for imaging biological material in three dimensions (e.g. within tissue sections, embryos, cell aggregates or round cells). Time-lapse imaging and optical sectioning will be applied to a wide range of biological systems including cell migration, cell polarity, organelle motility, cytoskeletal rearrangements during cell division and differentiation; and pattern formation, signal transduction, and protein expression during development. In all cases, a strong emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms (e.g. signal transduction events, post-translational protein modification, and the role of specific elements of the cytoskeleton) in these cellular processes. These projects will also develop better methods to combine optical microscopy with yeast and Dictyostelium genetics. Although virtually every member of the user group has a conventional microscope and access to a confocal microscope, none has sufficient access to confocal imaging systems. Therefore, the requested equipment will enhance the user group's ability to complete projects underway, allow new projects to be initiated, and avoid duplication of effort and expense. Finally, since availability of compatible fluorescent probes often limits experimental options, the spectral analysis capabilities of this system will greatly expand the universe of possible investigations. The instrument will be incorporated into a well-managed existing core facility, directed since its inception in 1997 by the P.I. As an integral component of our Optical Microscopy Facility, the instrument will be accessible to members of the user group and others throughout the University, promoting collaboration and exchange of ideas.