2-photon imaging system

描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议购买一个专门用于显微内窥镜的双光子配对系统。梯度折射率（GRIN）透镜显微内窥镜允许成像以前难以接近的组织。对于我们的研究核心，这意味着耳蜗成像，尽管这不是唯一的。随着这个系统，我们需要纳入听力质量评估的能力，其中包括ABR，失真产品耳声发射和鼓室测量。此外，需要进行电生理测量的能力，因此需要微操纵器和放大器。该设备将扩展我们的成像核心，使整个动物听力实验可以在细胞和系统水平上进行。这项技术将使我们前所未有地接触到活体耳蜗组织，极大地扩展和加强了这个核心领域正在进行的研究项目。迄今为止，大多数耳蜗力学测量都是在基底膜水平上进行单点或双点测量。这项新技术允许对多个细胞或细胞部分进行成像，如感觉毛束、被膜等。主要实验的证明已与GRIN透镜的顾问和专家（Mark Schnitzer）一起进行，但由于实验室没有配备隔音设备，并且系统不是专门用于这些实验，因此受到限制。该设备有可能彻底改变整个动物的听觉研究，并将扩大我们的成像核心资源，将成像从分子到细胞再到系统。这项技术并不局限于耳蜗探测，正如研究项目部分所展示的那样，它还可以用于研究活体动物中迄今为止无法进入的结构，如深部脑区和鼻粘膜细胞。这些项目包括6个目前资助的ro1，来自代表5个不同部门的4名研究人员。目前有三名初级研究人员正在积极研究这项技术。我们核心设施的部分任务是为研究生和住院医生提供访问和培训，因此增加这项技术将大大加强培训。此外，该技术允许在整个动物中进行直接转化实验。我们有大量的部门支持资金，包括仪器的服务合同，参与设备培训和维护的支持人员，以及设备的安装成本。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We are proposing to purchase a two photon mating system that is specialized for microendoscopy. The gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens microendoscope allows for imaging of previously inaccessible tissue. For our research core, this means imaging the cochlea, though this is not exclusive. Along with this system, we need to incorporate the ability to assess quality of hearing, which includes, ABR, distortion product otoacoustic emissions and tympanometry. Additionally, the ability to make electrophysiological measurements is required and so micromanipulators and an amplifier are requested. This device will expand our imaging core so that whole animal hearing experiments can be performed at the cellular and systems level. This technology will give us unprecedented access to living cochlea tissue, greatly expanding and enhancing ongoing research projects within this core. To date, most measurements of cochlea mechanics are single or dual point measurements at the level of the basilar membrane. This new technology allows imaging of multiple cells or cell parts, like sensory hair bundles, tectorial membrane, etc. Proof of principal experiments have been performed with a consultant and expert on GRIN lens (Mark Schnitzer) but are limited by being in a laboratory not equipped for acoustic isolation and on a system that is not dedicated to these experiments. This device has the potential to revolutionize auditory research in the whole animal and will expand the resources of our imaging core to incorporate imaging from the molecular to cellular to system. The technology is not limited to cochlear exploration and as demonstrated in the research projects section can be used to investigate heretofore inaccessible structures in living animals, such as deep brain regions and nasal mucosal cells. Together these projects incorporate 6 presently funded RO1s from 4 investigators representing five different departments. Also there are presently three junior investigators actively pursuing this technology. Part of the mandate of our core facility is to provide access and training to graduate students and residents and so the addition of this technology will greatly enhance training. In addition, this technology allows direct translational experiments to be performed in the whole animal. We have significant departmental support funding the service contract for the instrument, support personnel involved in the training and maintenance of the equipment and the setup costs for the equipment. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Hearing loss induced by noise exposure, aging or chemicals reduce quality of life and productivity of millions of people each year, costing our economy billions of dollars. The ability to directly assess the actions of chemicals or noise on the sensory tissue has long been hampered by the inability to access cochlear tissue, as it is surrounded by bone. The equipment requested, a two photon imaging system using microendoscopy allows minimally invasive surgery to result in our ability to directly monitor cochlea tissue in vivo and thus will expedite our understanding of the mechanisms associated with these forms of hearing loss.