Microscopy & Digital Imaging Core (MDI)

项目总结(见说明)： 内耳的感觉器官是脊椎动物体内最复杂、图案最精致的结构之一。研究听力和平衡的生物学机制需要有能力获得耳蜗和前庭器官及其相关组织的高分辨率图像。现代光学和电子显微镜可以从经过处理的样本和活组织中提供出色的成像数据，但这种仪器的成本通常超出了单个实验室的承受能力。要向多个实验室提供先进的显微镜服务，最具成本效益的方法是让这些实验室组成联盟，共享成像设备。本提案是为了继续开展一个旨在实现这一目标的P30项目。具体地说，分子和数字成像 (MDI)CORE将为一组相关实验室提供现代光学和电子显微镜，这些实验室的研究与NIDCD的任务目标一致。该提案的这一部分有两个具体目标：第一，我们建议向我们的核心研究人员群体提供光学显微镜(共聚焦和常规荧光)设施，并对这些仪器的操作进行全面培训。第二个具体目标是向这一组研究人员提供扫描和透射电子显微镜服务，以及样品制备和EM技术所有方面的培训的设备。光学成像和电磁成像都严重依赖于数字图像 因此，我们还将为我们共享设施的用户提供完整的计算资源。我们的核心研究小组庞大多样，但我们因许多共同目标而团结在一起。此外，我们还促进了许多合作项目，其中许多项目是由计量吸入器核心资源发起和推动的。计量吸入器核心在利用和研究生产力方面建立了良好的记录。 在上一个供资周期中，我们总共向37个实验室提供了成像仪器和培训，从计量吸入器核心设施获得的数据出现在56份同行审查的出版物上。鉴于这种高水平的生产力，加上我们新升级的共焦设备和强大的研究团队，我们寻求继续促进我们成员实验室的研究，并增加现有的关于听力和平衡的生物学基础以及相关病理学的知识。

PROJECT SUMMARY (See instructions): The sensory organs of the inner ear are among the most complex and exquisitely-patterned structures contained within the vertebrate body. Research on the biological mechanisms of hearing and balance requires the ability to obtain high-resolution images of the cochlea and vestibular organs, as well as their associated tissues. Modern optical and electron microscopy can provide excellent imaging data from processed samples and live tissues, but the cost of such instrumentation is typically beyond the reach of individual labs. The most cost-effective method for providing advanced microscopy services to a number of labs is for those labs to form a consortium and share imaging facilities. The present proposal is for the continuation of a P30 project that is directed toward this goal. Specifically, the Molecular and Digital Imaging (MDI) core will provide access to modern optical and electron microscopy to a group of associated labs whose research is consistent with the mission aims of the NIDCD. This section of the proposal has two Specific Aims: First, we propose to provide facilities for optical microscopy (confocal and conventional epifluorescence) to our core group of researchers, along with complete training in the operation of those instruments. The second Specific Aim is to provide access to both scanning and transmission electron microscopy services to this same group of researchers, along with equipment for sample preparation and training in all facets of EM technique. Both optical and EM imaging are heavily reliant on digital image processing, so we will also provide complete computational resources to users of our shared facility. Our core research group is large and diverse, but we are united by many common goals. In addition, we foster numerous collaborative projects, many of which have been initiated and facilitated by the MDI core resources. The MDI core has established an excellent track record of utilization and research productivity. During the previous funding cycle, we have provided imaging instrumentation and training to a total of 37 labs, and data obtained from MDI core facilities has appeared in 56 peer-reviewed publications. In light of this high level of productivity, along with our newly upgraded confocal facility and strong research group, we seek to continue to promote the research of our member labs, and increase existing knowledge of the biological basis of hearing and balance and associated pathologies.