An Upright Multiphoton Microscope for an Established Core Imaging Facility

描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议购买一台直立，多光子和共聚焦显微镜，以支持马里兰大学医学院，牙科学院，护理学院和综合癌症中心的研究人员的研究。被选为主要用户的研究人员，像大学的许多人一样，迫切需要在完整或体内系统的深处进行荧光成像。然而，他们目前仅使用共聚焦显微镜完成关键研究目标的能力有限，共聚焦显微镜只能穿透浅层。多光子显微镜代表了目前世界各地大学体内和厚组织高分辨率成像的标准配置，然而，没有设备具有所需的功能，并且在整个马里兰大学巴尔的摩校区内确实没有立式多光子显微镜。这给我们在许多关键领域进行相关研究的能力留下了一个削弱的漏洞，而提出的显微镜旨在弥补这一问题。在一系列涉及三个主要制造商的显微镜的校园演示中，主要用户收集了大量的初步数据，并且每个用户都确认蔡司710NLO的功能直接满足他们的要求。蔡司提供了许多多光子显微镜配置，但710NLO提供了一个出色的组合的能力：高灵敏度探测器的延时成像厚和散射组织；紧凑的光路，用于在照明侧保持激光功率和光束质量，并在发射侧保持光子；去除自身荧光的光谱检测；由于熟悉蔡司软件，使用方便；一种适合膜片钳电生理的新型直立显微镜设计可靠的本地服务；以及一个高质量的脉冲激光可调在一个广泛的波长为不同的项目。新仪器将并入该大学长期成功的共聚焦核心设备。广泛的校内专业知识的存在以及附近机构专家的承诺支持，保证了显微镜的快速有效利用。由主要的NCRR建设拨款资助，核心目前正在进行广泛的翻新，以容纳我们的共聚焦显微镜。该系统符合医学院院长、护理学院院长和牙科学院院长建立研究资源的长期目标，因此，制度支持非常强大。LSM710 NLO在学院共聚焦核心设施的可用性将直接和有力地有利于主要用户的研究。更广泛地说，它会的

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to acquire an upright, multiphoton and confocal microscope to support the research of investigators at the University of Maryland in the School of Medicine, Dental School, School of Nursing, and Comprehensive Cancer Center. The investigators selected as Major Users, like many at the University, have immediate need for fluorescence imaging deep within intact or in vivo systems. However, they are currently limited in their ability to accomplish key aims of their research using only confocal microscopy, which penetrates only to shallow layers. Multiphoton microscopes represent the current standard configuration for in vivo and thick-tissue high-resolution imaging in universities around the world However, no equipment with the required capabilities is available to the users, and indeed no upright multiphoton microscope is present within the entire University of Maryland Baltimore campus. This has left a debilitating hole in our ability to conduct relevant research in many of our key areas, and the proposed microscope is designed to remedy this problem. During a series of on-campus demos involving microscopes from three major manufacturers, the Major Users collected substantial preliminary data, and each confirmed that the capabilities of the Zeiss 710NLO directly met their requirements. Zeiss supplies a number of multiphoton microscope configurations, but the 710NLO provides an excellent combination of capabilities: high-sensitivity detectors for time-lapse imaging in thick and scattering tissues; compact light path for preserving laser power and beam quality on the illumination side and conserving photons on the emission side; spectral detection for removal of autofluorescence; high ease of use due to familiarity with Zeiss software; an excellent new upright microscope design optimized for patch-clamp electrophysiology; dependable local service; as well as a top-quality pulsed laser tunable over a broad wavelength for diverse projects. The new instrument will be incorporated into the long-standing and successful Confocal Core Facility at the University. The presence of extensive on-campus expertise along with pledged support from experts at nearby institutions, promise swift and efficient utilization of the microscope. Funded by a major NCRR construction grant, the Core is currently undergoing extensive renovations to house our confocal microscopes. The system matches the long-term goals of the Deans of the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Dental School to build research resources, and accordingly, institutional support is very strong. The availability of the LSM710 NLO in the School's Confocal Core Facility would directly and strongly benefit the research of the Major Users. More broadly, it will add critically important new capabilities to advance NIH-sponsored research throughout a large and diverse medical research university. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The University of Maryland has established itself as an international leader in the area of biological microscopy. The instrument requested in this proposal will be used to explore new directions in our traditional areas of strength, including cardiology, neuroscience, hypertension, cancer biology, and diabetes. By permitting visualization of cellular- and organ-level structure and function within the most intact systems possible-including within living animals- this microscope will immediately and dramatically advance our efforts to bring life sciences research to bear on human health.