Molecular Histology and Fluorescent Imaging

项目概述（见说明）：可视化和确定细胞和组织内分子定位的能力是现代生物学的重要组成部分。影像和组织学是CEHS及其成员研究任务的核心。近十年来，成像技术的迅速发展极大地推动了这一领域的发展，并提供了令人兴奋的新研究方向。随着成像技术变得越来越复杂，研究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研究人员提供使用最先进的设备和技术专长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自动化样品制备，增加吞吐量，同时标准化样品制备和染色。这对CEHS调查人员在评估暴露于环境毒物和外源物的生物学结果时至关重要。荧光成像组件采用了最新的、最先进的奥林巴斯FV1000共聚焦显微镜，具有光谱检测、活细胞、3D和TIRF功能。MHFI核心还具有一个细微差别多光谱成像系统和几个离线图像分析工作站，允许用户使用必要的复杂工具来分析他们的数据。最重要的是，除了设备外，核心还为研究人员提供专家建议和技术专长，以设计，实施和批判性地分析组织学和荧光成像实验。MHFI核心及其工作人员提供的独特服务对CEHS研究人员的竞争力和成功以及蒙大拿大学和该地区的研究人员获得和维持校外资金至关重要。

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.