Molecular Histology and Fluorescent Imaging

项目摘要(见说明)：可视化和确定分子在细胞和组织中的定位的能力是现代生物学的一个基本组成部分。成像和组织学是CEHS及其成员的研究任务的核心。在过去的十年里，成像技术的快速进步极大地推动了该领域的发展，并提供了新的令人兴奋的探索路线。随着成像技术变得更加复杂，调查人员需要新的和更新的设备和专业知识来有效地使用它们并充分发挥其潜力，以保持竞争力。然而，掌握这些技术所需的成本和时间对大多数研究人员来说是令人望而却步的。分子组织学和荧光成像(MHFI)核心的目的是为CEHS的研究人员提供使用最先进的设备和技术专业知识进行尖端组织学和成像实验的手段和专业知识。组织学组件为用户提供了自动样品准备，增加了产量，同时使样品准备和染色标准化。这对于CEHS调查人员在评估暴露于环境毒物和异生物质的生物后果时至关重要。荧光成像组件维护了一种新的、最先进的奥林巴斯FV1000共焦显微镜，具有光谱检测、活细胞、3D和TIRF功能。MHFI Core还拥有Nuance多光谱成像系统和几个离线图像分析工作站，为用户提供分析数据所需的复杂工具。最重要的是，除了设备之外，核心还为研究人员提供设计、实施和批判性分析组织学和荧光成像实验的专家建议和技术专长。MHFI核心及其工作人员提供的独特服务对于CEHS调查人员的竞争力和成功至关重要，对于蒙大拿大学和该地区的调查人员在获得和维持外部资金方面也是至关重要的。

PROJECT SUMMARY (See instructions): The ability to visualize and determine the localization of molecules within cells and tissues is an essential component of modern biology. Imaging and histology are central to the research mission of the CEHS and its members. The rapid advances in imaging technology within the last decade have greatly advanced the field and provided for new and exciting lines of inquiry. As imaging technologies have become more sophisticated, new and updated equipment and the expertise to use them efficiently and to their full potential is required for investigators to remain competitive. However, the costs and time required to master these techniques are prohibitive for most investigators. The purpose of the Molecular Histology and Fluorescence Imaging (MHFI) Core is to provide CEHS investigators with the means and expertise to perform cutting-edge histology and imaging experiments using state-of-the-art equipment and technical expertise. The histology component provides users with automated sample preparation, increasing throughput while at the same time standardizing sample preparation and staining. This is essential to CEHS investigators as they assess the biological outcome of exposure to environmental toxicants and xenobiotics. The fluorescence imaging component maintains a new, state-of-the-art Olympus FV1000 confocal microscope with spectral detection, live cell, 3D, and TIRF capabilities. The MHFI Core also has a Nuance Multispectral Imaging system and several off-line image analysis workstations allowing users sophisticated tools necessary to analyze their data. Most importantly, in addition to the equipment the Core provides investigators with expert advise and technical expertise to design, implement, and critically analyze histology and fluorescent imaging experiments. The unique services provided by the MHFI Core and its staff is critically important to the competitiveness and success of CEHS investigators and for investigators across the University of Montana and the region in obtaining and maintaining extramural funding.