Confocal Imaging System

描述（由申请人提供）：本修订后的申请寻求NCRR共享仪器拨款（SIG）计划的支持，以更新该部门的多用户共聚焦显微镜成像设备。该设施目前在固定台直立显微镜（Olympus BX50）上安装了一个Bio-Rad 1024 MP扫描头，该扫描头带有用于常规单光子共聚焦显微镜的Kr/Ar激光器（Bio-Rad）。2004年，卡尔蔡司收购了Bio-Rad的细胞科学部门，因此，对我们当前系统的硬件和软件的支持正在逐步淘汰。到2007年，将没有服务合同，零件的可用性也无法保证。此外，我们一直无法确定第三方供应商谁可以提供服务和维护。由于大学内其他共聚焦成像系统的用户时间严重有限或无法使用，因此获得一个新的，完全支持的共聚焦成像系统对于NIH资助的研究项目在该部门的成像方面的持续进展至关重要。我们认为蔡司LSM 510是一个合适的替代品，因为它提供了最先进的性能和足够的多功能性，以满足多个用户的需求。最后，蔡司提供了一个很大的折扣，以鼓励Bio-RAD用户迁移到蔡司仪器，我们不知道这个政策将持续多久。神经生物学和解剖学系已经为共聚焦成像套件提供了重要的空间和支持。此外，大学还承诺为仪器的维护合同提供资金。目前的系统被安置在一个245平方英尺的房间里，这个房间经过了广泛的翻新，以满足仪器的需要。通风系统得到加强，以提供恒定的温度和低湿度。电气系统得到了增强，可以将敏感仪器与产生线路尖峰的电源隔离开来。相邻的一个房间进行了改造，以便为共聚焦数据的离线分析提供方便的位置。此外，该部已建立了组织结构和用户共享制度，这将继续下去。因此，共聚焦成像核心的机构支持已经到位。相关性：用户组的重点是信号级联和单个神经元形态的变化。共聚焦显微镜是研究神经生物学中这些重要过程的重要工具。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This revised application seeks support under the NCRR Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) program to update the department's multi-user confocal microscopy imaging facility. This facility currently houses a Bio-Rad 1024 MP scanhead on a fixed stage upright microscope (Olympus BX50) with a Kr/Ar laser (Bio-Rad) used for conventional single-photon confocal microscopy. In 2004, Carl Zeiss acquired the Cell Science division of Bio-Rad, and as a result, support for the hardware and software on our current system is being phased out. By 2007, there will be no service contract and the availability of parts is not guaranteed. Moreover, we have been unable to identify a third party vendor who could offer service and maintenance. Because user time on other confocal imaging systems within the University is either severely limited or unavailable, the acquisition of a new, fully supported confocal imaging system is critical for continued progress on the imaging aspects of the NIH funded research projects in the Department. We identified the Zeiss LSM 510 as an appropriate replacement because it offers state-of- the-art performance and sufficient versatility to meet the needs of multiple users. Finally, Zeiss is offering a substantial discount to encourage Bio-RAD users to migrate to the Zeiss instrument, and we do not know how long this policy will remain in effect. The Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy has committed significant space and support to the confocal imaging suite. In addition, the University has committed funds towards the maintenance contract of the instrument. The current system is housed in a 245 sq ft. room that has been extensively renovated to meet the needs of the instrument. The ventilation system was enhanced to provide constant temperature and low humidity. The electrical system was enhanced to isolate sensitive instrumentation from power supplies that produce line spikes. An adjacent room was remodeled to provide a convenient location for off-line analysis of confocal data. In addition, the Department has an established organizational structure and user-sharing system, which will be continued. Thus, institutional support for the confocal imaging core is already in place. Relevance: The focus of the user group is on signaling cascades and changes in morphology in individual neurons. Confocal microscopy is an essential tool for the investigation of these fundamentally important processes in neurobiology.