OPTICAL IMAGING FACILITY

作为先前资助的RCMI周期的一部分，1999年秋季在UCC建立了一个光学成像设施。该设施获得的第一个主要设备是一个灵敏的基于显微镜的系统，该系统允许以快速的时间分辨率评估细胞反应，如钙信号。该系统还允许对该功能变量进行空间评估，这意味着研究者能够识别 邻近细胞群中的钙信号反应。这项提案要求提供资金，继续为这一过时的细胞成像系统提供技术支持，并维持其尖端设备。由于实验的性质，这种特殊的显微镜设置是一个高度专用的系统。因此，为了提供技术 除了支持其他基于显微镜的应用外，该提案还要求提供资金，以支持将免疫细胞化学实验室纳入光学成像设施。免疫细胞化学实验室专门从事定性鉴定和定位的细胞轴承选择性标记，采用特异性抗体，这些分子。参考实验室是在Serguei Skatchkov和Misty Eaton博士的倡议下于1999年组织的，他们在其项目的实验设计中成功地使用了这项技术。1997年，Skatchkov博士在早期RCMI支持的方法学转移计划的帮助下，在柏林洪堡大学的一个领先的免疫细胞化学实验室接受了培训。免疫细胞化学实验室设备包括一台直立荧光显微镜和一台高分辨率数码相机。在本实验室获得的免疫细胞化学数据已发表在同行评议的期刊上，并在地方和国家研讨会上发表。目前，有几个项目将直接受益于这种基于显微镜的技术所提供的服务。因此，光学成像设备的目标是：1。为时间和空间分辨率成像系统提供技术支持。2.将免疫细胞化学实验室整合到光学成像设备中。 3.在我们的学术界传播我们设施的能力。4.去申请共聚焦显微镜的资助。光学成像设施的持续支持将成为细胞和分子生物学中心的资产，因为它将有助于提高其现有参与者的生产力，并将成为一项有吸引力的研究。 为潜在的新研究者/合作者提供资源。光学成像设施的免疫细胞化学能力将补充我们现有的成像平台，该平台被配置用于快速采集和分析细胞内钙的荧光标记报告分子。

As part of a previous funded RCMI cycle, an Optical Imaging Facility was established at UCC during the fall of 1999. The first major equipment acquired for this facility was a sensitive microscope-based system that allows the assessment of cellular responses such as calcium signaling with fast temporal resolution. The system also allows the spatial assessment of this functional variable, which means that an investigator is able to identify the heterogeneity of calcium signal responses in neighboring groups of cells. This proposal requests funds to continue providing technical support for this time-lapsed cell imaging system and the maintenance of its sophisticated equipment. Due to the nature of experiments, this particular microscope setup is a highly dedicated system. Therefore, in order to provide technical support for other microscope-based applications, this proposal is also requesting funds to support the integration of an immunocytochemistry laboratory into the Optical Imaging Facility. The immunocytochemistry laboratory specializes in the qualitative identification and localization of cells bearing selective markers by employing specific antibodies to these molecules. The referenced laboratory was organized in 1999 through the initiatives of Drs. Serguei Skatchkov and Misty Eaton, who have been successfully using this technology in the experimental design of their projects. In 1997, Dr. Skatchkov, thanks to an earlier RCMI supported Methodology Transfer Program, received training in a leading immunocytochemistry laboratory at Humboldt University, Berlin. The immunocytochemistry laboratory equipment includes an upright fluorescence microscope and a high-resolution digital camera. Immunocytochemistry data obtained in this laboratory has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented in local and national symposiums. Currently, there are several projects that will benefit directly from the service provided by this microscope-based Iechnology. Therefore, the aims of the Optical Imaging Facility are: 1. To provide technical support for the time and spatial resolution imaging systems. 2. To integrate an immunocytochemistry laboratory into the Optical Imaging Facility. 3. To disseminate in our academic community the capabilities of our facility. 4. To work on the submission of a grant for a confocal microscope. The continued support of the Optical Imaging Facility will constitute an asset for the Cell and Molecular Biology Center since it will contribute to enhance the productivity of its current participants and will constitute an attractive research resource for potential new investigators/collaborators. The immunocytochemisty capabilities at the Optical Imaging Facility will complement our existing imaging platform that is configured for the rapid acquisition and analysis of fluorescently tagged reporters of intracellular calcium.