Center for Advanced Renal Microscopic Analysis

总体描述(由申请人提供)： 奥布莱恩高级肾脏显微分析中心将提供必要的资源和专业知识，以应用结构和功能成像技术，进一步了解作为地区、国家和国际核心设施的肾脏生理和疾病过程。这将通过提供用于小动物(小鼠和大鼠)和固定组织的最先进的成像系统来实现。这些成像方法将包括印第安纳大学开发的新策略和从商业来源购买的技术的组合。我们校园里的生命科学家以及NIDDK或其他研究肾脏或泌尿系过程的资助研究人员将可以使用的设施包括：六台激光扫描共焦显微镜和三台双光子显微镜，一个微光荧光系统，以及用于活体动物手术和成像的广泛设施。为了支持对这些资源的利用，已经组建了一支基础科学家队伍，其中包括显微镜专家、计算机工程师、生理学家、内科医生以及细胞和分子生物学家。他们将继续作为一个综合小组发挥作用，协助和培训调查人员开发应用于成像技术的新方法和软件。其他研究活动将包括开发信号处理算法，以最大限度地提高图像质量和信息含量，以及开发定量三维体积分析算法。最后，将开发一项教育服务，包括成像工作商店和传播短途旅行。这些研究开发和支持活动预计将提供许多机会，影响对肾脏生理、疾病过程和治疗干预的理解。

DESCRIPTION, OVERALL (provided by applicant): The O'Brien Center for Advanced Renal Microscopic Analysis will provide the resources and expertise necessary to apply structural and functional imaging technologies to further the understanding of renal physiology and disease processes as a Regional, National and International Core facility. This will be accomplished by providing state of the art imaging systems for use in small animals (mice and rats) and fixed tissues. These imaging approaches will include a combination of novel strategies developed at Indiana University and technologies purchased from commercial sources. Facilities that will be available to the life scientist on our campus, and to NIDDK or other funded investigators studying kidney or urologic processes include: six laser-scanning confocal and three two-photon microscopes, a low light level epifluorescence system and extensive facilities for live animal surgery and imaging. To support utilization of these resources a cadre of basic scientists including microscopists, computer engineers, physiologists, physicians and cell and molecular biologists have been assembled. They will continue to function as an integrated team to assist and train investigators in the development of new approaches and software for application to imaging techniques. Additional research activities will include the development of signal processing algorithms to maximize image quality and information content, and the development of quantitative 3-dimensional volume analysis algorithms. Finally, an educational service including imaging work shops and dissemination excursions will be developed. These research development and support activities are expected to provide numerous opportunities to impact the understanding of renal physiology, disease processes and therapeutic interventions.