Integrated AFM and Real-Time Confocal Microscope Core

描述（由申请人提供）：原子力显微镜（AFM）最初是作为半导体扫描应用的高分辨率成像工具设计的，可以测量原子水平的特征和力。在水环境中使用的能力也允许与生物分子甚至活细胞相互作用。AFM的一个独特之处在于，它不是一种光学方法，而是使用一种扫描探针，物理接触样品，以实现亚光学分辨率。高灵敏度力传感器可用于量化从单个分子到整个细胞的推、拉和操纵物体的微力学，提供丰富的机械生物学景观的独特映射。最新一代的原子力显微镜允许AFM和共聚焦显微镜的无缝集成，结合每种方法的独特优势，并将AFM从工程和生物物理实验室引入细胞和分子生物学家手中，他们为这种尖端纳米技术找到新的应用。这项共享仪器拨款计划用于购买最先进的集成原子力和实时共聚焦显微镜，作为心血管研究中心的部门核心设备。西奈山从未有过这样的系统，目前的方案利用了机会和专业知识的独特融合。最初有8个NIH资助的主要用户，包括代表5个部门和5个NIH研究所的医学博士和博士，该仪器将显著影响正在进行的研究工作，并为实现拟议目标提供新颖的方法。科斯塔博士的新到来将作为催化剂，激发想象力和头脑风暴的想法，同时保持对原子力显微镜的能力和局限性的坚定理解。PI和指定技术人员的专门知识，在与不同的地方管理委员会协商后，将确保对用户进行适当培训，并最大限度和公平地使用共享仪器。由此产生的互动将为西奈山从未有过的新实验和跨学科合作打开大门，帮助扩大生物医学知识的边界，并在NIH总投资排名前20位的机构中发现研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The atomic force microscope (AFM) was originally designed as a high-resolution imaging tool for semiconductor scanning applications to allow measurement of atomic level features and forces. The ability to be used in an aqueous environment also allows interaction with biological molecules and even living cells. A unique feature of the AFM is that it is not an optical method, but rather uses a scanning probe that physically contacts the sample to achieve sub-optical resolution. The high-sensitivity force sensor can be used for quantifying the micromechanics involved in pushing, pulling, and manipulating objects from individual molecules to whole cells, providing a unique mapping of the rich mechanobiology landscape. The latest generation of atomic force microscopes allows seamless integration of AFM and confocal microscopy, combining the unique advantages of each method and ushering the AFM out of engineering and biophysics labs and into the hands of cell and molecular biologists who find new applications for this cutting- edge nanotechnology. This shared instrument grant proposes to acquire a state-of-the-art integrated atomic force and real-time confocal microscope as a departmental core facility in the Cardiovascular Research Center. No other such system has ever existed at Mount Sinai, and the current proposal takes advantage of a unique confluence of opportunity and expertise. With an initial cohort of 8 NIH-funded major users, including MDs and PhDs representing 5 departments and 5 NIH institutes, this instrument will significantly impact ongoing research efforts and provide novel ways to achieve the proposed aims. Dr. Costa's new arrival at Mount Sinai will serve as a catalyst to stimulate the imagination and brainstorm ideas while maintaining a firm understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the AFM. The expertise of the PI and the named technician, in consultation with a diverse local management committee, will ensure proper training of users, and maximal and equitable use of the shared instrument. The resulting interactions will open doors for new experiments and interdisciplinary collaborations that were never before possible at Mount Sinai, helping to expand the boundaries of biomedical knowledge and discovery in research at an institution with a top-20 ranking in total NIH investment.