JEM-3200FS Field Emission Electron Microscope

描述(由申请人提供)：长期目标是获得一种300千伏的场发射电子显微镜(FETEM)，它将增强、补充和增加成像能力，包括厚样品、EELS、STEM和EDS的低温电子显微镜。目前，西北大学(NU)的研究人员还没有类似的中压显微镜系统。请拨资金购买JEOL 3200FS FETEM系统，该系统有几个分析模块。我们将使用3200FS来：1)结合我们的共焦系统执行相关的光学和电子显微镜，2)成像和分析细胞对独特的探针和纳米颗粒的摄取，以及3)捕获倾斜系列的厚的冷冻水合和树脂包埋的样品用于断层成像。3200FS系统可以对厚样品(400 nm-1(M))进行成像。该FETEM使用可容纳多种标本类型的标本支架提供可靠的成像和光谱分析。添加EDS、EELS和STEM的分析功能使该系统变得极其强大--能够研究和表征许多生物系统，而这些系统是我们目前的透射电子显微镜无法完成的。 这项提案中列出的八个主要用户目前总共有20多个国家卫生研究院拨款，总额超过500万美元。他们的研究项目涵盖了广泛的发育、细胞和结构生物学研究，包括：1)雌激素诱导的脑突触可塑性，2)细胞对寡核苷酸修饰的纳米结构的摄取，3)病毒表面糖蛋白的结构、功能和组织，4)DNA拓扑异构酶的结构研究，以及5)两亲性肽的自组装。这些项目和许多其他项目将大大受益于3200FS的附加成像和分析功能--这是我们目前的瞬变电磁所缺乏的功能。这些研究的结果将对公共卫生领域的研究产生重大影响，如揭示治疗多发性脑/行为障碍的新治疗策略的分子/细胞靶点；设计/测试显著改善癌症预防、诊断和治疗的创新纳米技术；以及了解病毒进入宿主细胞的过程。根据工作人员的经验和两台300千伏FETEM机组(来自FEI和JEOL)的演示，我们确定JEOL 3200FS系统最适合我们的需求。这些设备将由NU Evanston校区的BIF管理。BIF是一个共享设施，支持超过470名西北大学的研究人员。BIF也向邻近的学术和医疗保健机构以及外部个人开放。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective is to obtain a 300 kV field emission electron microscope (FETEM) that will enhance, complement, and increase repertoire of imaging abilities to include cryoelectron microscopy of thick samples, EELS, STEM, and EDS. Presently there is no comparable intermediate voltage microscope system that is available to researchers at Northwestern University (NU). Funds are requested to purchase a JEOL 3200FS FETEM system that has several analytical modules. We will use the 3200FS to: 1) perform correlative light and electron microscopy in conjunction with our confocal systems, 2) image and analyze the cellular uptake of unique probes and nanoparticles, and 3) capture tilt-series of thick frozen-hydrated and resin-embedded samples for tomography. The 3200FS system can image thick samples (400nm-1(m). This FETEM provides reliable imaging and spectral analysis using specimen holders that can accommodate a wide variety of specimen types. Adding the analytical functions of EDS, EELS, and STEM makes this system extremely powerful - capable of investigating and characterizing many biological systems that are impossible with our current TEM. Together, the eight major users listed in this proposal have over 20 currently funded NIH grants totaling more than $5M. Their research projects encompass a wide array of developmental, cell, and structural biology studies including: 1) estrogen-induced plasticity of brain synapses, 2) cellular uptake of oligonucleotide- modified nanostructures, 3) the structure, function, and organization of viral surface glycoproteins, 4) structural studies of DNA topoisomerases, and 5) peptide amphiphile self-assembly. These and many other projects will significantly benefit from the additional imaging and analytical features of the 3200FS - features that our present TEM lacks. Results obtained from these studies will have significant impact on public health research in areas such as revealing molecular/cellular targets for novel therapeutic strategies for multiple brain/behavior disorders; designing/testing innovative nanoscale technologies that significantly improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment; and understanding the process of viral entry into host cells. Based on staff experience and on demonstrations of two 300 kV FETEM units (from FEI and JEOL), we have determined that the JEOL 3200FS system best suits our needs. This equipment will be administered by BIF on the NU Evanston campus. BIF is a shared-use facility that supports over 470 Northwestern researchers. BIF is also available to neighboring academic and health care institutions, and outside individuals.