Laser scanning confocal microscope

描述（由申请人提供）：荧光显微镜彻底改变了现代生物学。从跟踪第二信使的精细调节的钙敏感染料到使我们能够精确定位蛋白质亚细胞分布的荧光融合蛋白，我们观察细胞内部运作的能力不断扩大。为了利用这些进步的好处，我们需要最先进的显微镜工具。我们目前对共聚焦显微镜的需求已经超过了我们的能力和我们目前的技术。我们正在申请资助一台蔡司LSM 710共聚焦显微镜，以支持我们对发育和细胞生物学的各个方面进行生物医学应用的研究。该显微镜被选为最有能力的激光扫描显微镜，可以支持我们用户的研究项目，包括发育，细胞和组织工程研究领域的生物学家。此外，该显微镜是模块化的，可扩展，以支持未来的应用，包括那些尚未设想。LSM 710与以前的蔡司版本相比进行了多项改进，包括更高的灵敏度、降低的背景噪声、改进的新荧光染料灵活性以及集成的分析方法，因此非常适合我们在莱斯大学不断扩大的NIH资助研究人员群体的需求。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Fluorescent microscopy has revolutionized modern biology. From calcium sensitive dyes that track the exquisite regulation of this second messenger to fluorescent fusion proteins that allow us to pinpoint the subcellular distribution of proteins, our ability to observe the inner workings of a cell is constantly expanding. To take advantage of the benefits of these advances we require state-of-the-art microscopy tools. Our current demand for confocal microscopy has exceeded our capacity and our current technology. We are requesting funding for a Zeiss LSM 710 confocal microscope to support our investigation of diverse aspects of developmental and cellular biology with biomedical applications. This microscope was selected as the most capable laser-scanning microscope that can support the research projects of our users, which include biologists with developmental, cellular, and tissue engineering research areas. Moreover, this microscope is modular and expandable to support future applications, including those not yet envisioned. The LSM 710 has incorporated several improvements over previous Zeiss versions, including higher sensitivity, reduced background noise, improved flexibility for new fluorochromes, and integrated analytical methods and is thus ideally suited for the needs of our expanding group of NIH- funded investigators at Rice University.