LCM Instrument, Arcturus XT-TI

描述（由申请人提供）：我们正在请求最先进的激光捕获显微镜（LCM）的国家作为一个机构支持的LCM核心设施，旨在服务于康涅狄格大学内的生物学科的广泛的开创性仪器。我们的大学正在经历资本和运营资金从国家的一个主要注入称为生物科学康涅狄格概念的一部分。这项投资的直接后果是杰克逊实验室决定在人类癌症基因组学方面开展重大研究。这种UCONN/JAX的联系延伸到他们位于缅因州的小鼠遗传研究项目。为了满足这一资金充足和广泛的用户群体日益增长的需求，该仪器Arcturus型号XT TM将能够基于免疫荧光成像，该成像建立在核心主任Joel Pachter博士开发的激光捕获样品PCR分析的基础上。这款特殊的型号在目前所有LCM仪器中是独一无二的，它同时具有红外和紫外激光能力，为用户提供了最大的细胞采集灵活性。该技术将扩展到捕获表达GFP的组织或细胞培养物中的细胞和各种基于荧光的酶染色剂，可以使用Ion Torrent平台进行广泛的RNAseq分析。基于多路荧光信号和计算机定义的目标选择的目标捕获能力将允许在分析新组织来源时灵活生长。核心将培训用户操作仪器，并向他们介绍包括广泛的RNA表达和生物信息学表征的工作流程。该服务核心费用的财务和合规方面将由LCM核心联合总监（D. Rowe）使用服务器控制的软件程序，该软件程序易于适应LCM核心的活动。已成立一个经验丰富的咨询委员会，以确保最佳利用和关注该工具的新应用。在实施我们LCM核心概念的过程中，我们将成为连接LCM和RNAseq的生命技术卓越中心。这一称号将我们确定为我们大学以外的项目的典范，并使我们能够参与LCM平台新应用程序的开发和实施。我们拥有机构支持，技术专长，新应用窗口以及运营和财务经验的基本面，以提供一个高度利用和快速发展的核心设施，这将支持我们的研究人员获得更大的成功，以获得资金和项目开发。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We are requesting a state of the art laser capture microscope (LCM) as the seminal instrument for an institutionally supported LCM core facility designed to service a broad spectrum of biological disciplines within the University of Connecticut. Our University is experiencing a major infusion of capital and operational funds from the State as part of the concept called Bioscience Connecticut. An immediate consequence of this investment was the decision by the Jackson Laboratories to establish a major research effort in the genomics of human cancer. This UCONN/JAX affiliation extends to their mouse genetic research programs located in Maine. To meet the increasing demands of this well-funded and broad user group, the instrument, Arcturus model XTTM, will be capable of immunofluorescence-based imaging that builds on the foundation for PCR analysis of laser captured samples developed by the core director, Dr. Joel Pachter. This particular model is unique among all LCM instruments currently available in having both infrared and ultraviolet laser capacities, providing users the greatest flexibility in cell acquisition. The technology willbe extended to capture cells within tissue or cell culture expressing GFP and a variety of fluorescence-based enzyme stains from which an extensive RNAseq analysis can be performed using an Ion Torrent platform. Capabilities for target capture based on multiplexing fluorescence signal and computer defined target selection will allow for flexible growth as new tissue sources are analyzed. The core will train users in the operation of the instrument and introduce them to a workflow that includes extensive RNA expression and bioinformatics characterization. The financial and compliance aspects of this fee for service core will be handled by existing reagent and common instrument core (Molecular Store) directed by the co-director of the LCM core (D. Rowe) using a server controlled software program that is easily adapted to activities of the LCM core. An experienced advisory committee has been established to ensure optimal utilization and attention to emerging applications of the instrument. In the process of implementing our LCM core concept, we will become a Life Technology Center of Excellence for our concept of linking LCM and RNAseq. This designation identifies us as a model for programs outside our University, and enables us to be involved in the development and implementation of new applications of the LCM platform. We have the fundamentals of institutional support, technical expertise, window to new applications, and the operational and financial experience in place to provide a heavily utilized and rapidly evolving core facility that will support even greater succes of our research faculty for funding and program development.