A laser scanning confocal microscope for research and education

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案旨在为耶鲁大学医学院细胞和分子成像中心采购蔡司LSM 710 Duo共焦/多光子荧光显微镜。这台显微镜将取代我们中心三台共焦显微镜中最老的一台，这台显微镜的使用寿命即将结束。在细胞和分子生物学和生理学中使用光学显微镜的持续复兴在很大程度上是由细胞结构和功能的特异性荧光探针的发展驱动的，再加上共聚焦和多光子荧光显微镜系统，扩展了我们在细胞和组织中可视化和定量这些探针的能力。激光扫描共聚焦显微镜，因为它的能力，“光学切片”细胞和组织，提供了一个工具，需要在活细胞和固定细胞的结构定义的空间分辨率。所要求的仪器的第二个检流计扫描头还将提供跟踪活细胞中的快速动态过程所需的时间分辨率。两个扫描头的组合，沿着多光子激光器，将进一步提供在快速扫描期间在高度局部化的亚细胞区域中撑开或光活化的能力。将立即利用该设备的具体项目包括跟踪整个胰腺腺泡细胞中钙波的形成和传播，神经可塑性的突触变化，神经元和成纤维细胞运动的分子调节，以及细胞核中钙信号形成的调节。通过更换大量使用但过时的显微镜，所要求的仪器将确保我们的研究人员将继续有足够的机会获得最先进的成像技术。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal seeks to acquire a Zeiss LSM 710 Duo confocal/multiphoton fluorescence microscope for the Center for Cell and Molecular Imaging at Yale University School of Medicine. This microscope would replace the oldest of three confocal microscopes in our center, which is reaching the end of its useful lifespan. The ongoing renaissance in the use of light microscopy for cell and molecular biology and physiology has been driven in large part by the development of specific fluorescent probes of cell structure and function, coupled with confocal and multiphoton fluorescence microscope systems that extend our abilities to visualize and quantitative such probes in cells and tissues. Laser scanning confocal microscopy, because of its ability to "optically section" cells and tissues, provides a tool with the spatial resolution needed to define structure in live and fixed cells alike. The second, galvanometric scan head of the requested instrument furthermore would provide the temporal resolution needed to follow rapid dynamic processes in living cells. The combination of the two scan heads, along with a multiphoton laser, would furthermore provide the ability for uncaging or photo-activation in highly localized subcellular regions during rapid scanning. Specific projects that would take immediate advantage of this equipment include tracking of formation and spread of calcium waves across pancreatic acinar cells, synaptic changes underlying neural plasticity, molecular regulation of motility in neurons and fibroblasts, and regulation of the formation of calcium signals in the cell nucleus. By replacing a heavily used but outdated microscope, the requested instrument will assure that our investigators will continue to have adequate access to state-of-the-art imaging techniques.