Laser Capture Microdissection Instrument

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案要求支持收购Arcturus AutoPix激光捕获显微切割仪（LCM），以添加到凯斯西储大学（CASE）视觉科学研究中心（VSRC）的现有共享组织学/成像资源中。一个由14名NIH资助的研究人员组成的用户组利用基因/蛋白质表达谱技术，但在选择特定细胞群进行高水平基因组/蛋白质组学分析的能力方面受到严重限制。Arcturus AutoPix是最新一代LCM，是一种独立的系统，用于从冷冻切片中采集特定组织或细胞，用于基因组和/或蛋白质组学研究。选择AutoPix而不是其他商业系统，因为它是唯一具有以下功能的LCM：（a）细胞/组织模式识别，可根据用户的培训自动选择细胞;（B）多载玻片容量，可提高效率;（c）能够使用材料，无需任何特殊安装或制备要求;以及（d）封闭的受保护环境，可最大限度地减少mRNA/蛋白质污染。 此外，Arcturus为DNA微阵列研究中使用的mRNA的分离和线性扩增提供了全面的技术和试剂支持。大学将为LCM提供专用空间，VSRC将为资源经理和研究助理III提供工资。PI和咨询委员会将监督系统的管理。本提案中概述的项目需要一个高通量系统，用于收集特定细胞类型，以使用DNA微阵列、定量PCR和质谱分析基因和蛋白质表达。这些要求需要具有快速鉴定和捕获所需细胞类型的能力的仪器，以产生质量和数量足以用于后续分析的核酸/蛋白质。这代表了CASE VSRC和癌症中心之间的合作伙伴关系，用户将与组织学，成像，基因表达分析和生物信息学方面的优秀现有中心资源进行互动，共同作为一个综合的大学资源。 基于技术规格和仪器比较，我们确定AutoPix是满足CASE教师需求的最佳选择。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal requests support for the acquisition of an Arcturus AutoPix Laser Capture Microdissection Instrument (LCM) to be added to an existing shared histology/imaging resource in the Visual Sciences Research Center (VSRC) at Case Western Reserve University (CASE). A Users Group of 14 NIH-funded investigators utilize gene/protein expression-profiling technology, but are severely limited in their ability to select specific cell populations for high level genomic/proteomic analyses. The Arcturus AutoPix, the latest generation LCM, is a self-contained system for acquisition of specific tissues or cells from frozen sections for genomic and/or proteomic studies. The AutoPix was chosen over other commercial systems since it is the only LCM with (a) cell/tissue pattern recognition to automatically select cells as trained by the user, (b) multi-slide capacity to increase efficiency, (c) ability to use material without any special mounting or preparation requirements, and (d) an enclosed, protected environment to minimize mRNA/protein contamination. Moreover, Arcturus provides full technical and reagent support for isolation and linear amplification of mRNA for use in DNA microarray studies. The University will provide dedicated space for the LCM and the VSRC will provide salary for both the Resource Manager and Research Assistant III. The PI and Advisory Committee will oversee management of the system. The projects outlined in this proposal require a high-throughput system for the collection of specific cell types for analyses of gene and protein expression using DNA microarray, quantitative PCR, and mass spectroscopy. These requirements necessitate an instrument with the ability to rapidly identify and capture desired cell types in numbers to yield nucleic acid/protein sufficient in quality and quantity for subsequent analyses. This represents a partnership between the CASE VSRC and Cancer Center, and users will interact with excellent existing Center resources in histology, imaging, gene expression analysis, and bioinformatics, collectively functioning as an integrated, University-wide resource. Based upon technical specifications and instrument comparisons, we determined that the AutoPix is the best choice to meet the needs of CASE faculty.