Core Facilities for Analysis of Neural Circuit Structure and Function

描述（由申请人提供）：该拨款提案的目的是支持一套核心设施，向我们社区的广泛神经科学家传播对新技术的理解和使用。科学核心是：（1）光学显微镜，使神经科学家能够使用最新的超分辨率荧光显微镜，多光子和共聚焦仪器以极大的特异性和分辨率可视化神经回路结构和功能;（2）电子显微镜，TEM和新的高通量，连续扫描EM;和（3）神经工程，提供设计和制造专业知识，使个人用户能够适应最新的电子，成像和计算机技术， 实验另外两个设施，专门用于神经成像（包括人脑和小动物扫描仪）和基因组修饰（提供转基因和靶向突变小鼠进行结构或功能分析），由其他来源支持，但将与这里支持的三个核心集成，为神经科学家提供目前推动该领域发展的全方位成像模式。管理核心跟踪科学核心的使用和财务，监督所有核心之间的协调，并促进核心用户和核心技术人员之间的互动。个人将在这些核心中找到难以或不可能在单个实验室中支持的设备和服务，这些实验室缺乏足够的技术专长，资金和空间。这些用户是位于剑桥的哈佛神经科学社区的成员，通过共享空间、设备和技术，他们将更加紧密地联系在一起。我们也知道，这些新技术中有许多很难理解和实施，因此它们没有像人们希望的那样得到广泛利用。因此，我们建议不仅要建立这些核心，而且要采取多种战略，旨在减少其广泛利用的障碍。其中包括正规和非正规教育，提供大多数免费核心服务，以及提供充足的技术支持。我们雄心勃勃的模型已经开始改变神经科学研究的范式，从完全依赖以实验室为中心的设施，到更经济有效和高效地使用非凡的共享设施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The aim of this grant proposal is to support a set of core facilities that spreads understanding and use of new technologies to the wide range of neuroscientists in our community. The scientific cores are: (1) Light Microscopy, which enables neuroscientists to visualize neural circuit structure and function with great specificity and resolution using the newest super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, multiphoton, and confocal instruments; (2) Electron Microscopy, with TEM and a new high-throughput, serial scanning EM; and (3) Neuroengineering, which provides design and fabrication expertise to allow individual users to adapt the latest electronic, imaging, and computer technologies for their experiments. Two additional facilities, devoted to Neuroimaging (including human brain and small animal scanners) and Genome Modification (providing transgenic and targeted mutant mice for structural or functional analysis), are supported from other sources, but will be integrated with the three Cores supported here, providing neuroscientists with access to the full range of imaging modalities currently driving the field forward. An Administrative Core tracks the usage and finances of the scientific cores, oversees coordination among all cores, and facilitates interactions between the core users and core technical staff. Individuals will find equipment and services in these Cores that are difficult or impossible to support in individual labs, which lack sufficient technical expertise, money, and space. The users, members of Harvard's Cambridge-based neuroscience community, will be drawn closer together, through shared space, equipment, and techniques. We also understand that many of these newer technologies are difficult to understand and implement, and so they are not utilized as broadly as might be wished. Thus we propose not only to establish these Cores but also to adopt multiple strategies aimed at reducing barriers to their widespread utilization. These include formal and informal education, making most core services available without user fees, and providing ample technical support. Our ambitious model has begun to shift the paradigm for neuroscience research from complete reliance on individual laboratory-centered facilities to the more cost-effective and productive use of extraordinary shared facilities.