Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF)

项目总结： 神经成像和电生理设施(NIFF)的建立是为了提高竞争力 通过将显微镜和电生理学技术结合到他们的 研究项目。这一目标是通过建立两个研究中心来实现的，其中一个在分子 科学研究中心(MSRC)和神经生物学研究所(INB)的另一位来自该大学的 波多黎各的。这两个设施都为岛上多元化的调查小组提供支持。在阶段1期间 和科布雷的2个，Nef获得了最先进的仪器，这些仪器价格昂贵，在 大多数实验室、部门和/或机构。在该机构获得或监督的设备中 Nef是共焦、双光子和超分辨率显微镜。还可以使用电生理学 用于卵母细胞、培养细胞、脑片和麻醉动物的装置，用于监测细胞的电活动。AS 作为Nef研究基础设施和专家技术人员的结果，113份同行审稿 已经发表，导致了1816次引用。此外，从Nef核心获得的数据是 包括在提交给联邦、州和私人机构的84项拨款提案中，以及来自这些机构的 提交的项目中，有48个获得了资助。此外，在Nef进行的研究允许新的 通过支持调查人员开发7项专利来支持技术。最后，50多名毕业生 来自八个不同系和三个主要研究机构的学生从 Nef的核心是能够完成至少一个论文目标并获得学位， 从而证明了国家科学基金会在波多黎各科学界的影响。这些结果 确认Nef堆芯对岛上调查人员的有利影响。因此，在这个科布雷 第三阶段提案，目标是维持、加强和支持Nef核心，通过实施三个 目标：1)为波多黎各的科学家提供最先进的显微镜和 电生理学，2)为岛上的调查人员提供支持，专家工作人员将帮助他们 从显微镜和电生理技术中获取和分析数据，以及3)训练 与这两种方法相关的几项技术的研究人员(显微镜和 电生理学)通过研讨会、研讨会和实践培训。因此，这些设施和服务将 继续帮助调查人员使用最具创新性的电生理和显微技术来 生成跨学科项目，在以下指导下研究生物和生物物理现象 经验丰富的优秀员工。实现这些目标将使国家和平与安全委员会能够过渡到 超越科布雷3期的完全自给自足的设施，波多黎各和 加勒比海。

Project Summary: The Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF) was established to increase the competitiveness of scientists in Puerto Rico via the incorporation of microscopy and electrophysiology techniques in their research projects. This aim was achieved by the establishment of two research cores, one at the Molecular Science Research Center (MSRC) and another at the Institute of Neurobiology (INB), from the University of Puerto Rico. Both facilities support a diversified group of investigators on the island. During phases 1 and 2 of COBRE, the NIEF acquired state-of-the-art instruments that are expensive and not accessible in most laboratories, departments and/or institutions. Among the equipment obtained or supervised by the NIEF are confocal, two-photon, and super resolution microscopes. Also available are electrophysiology rigs for oocytes, cultured cells, brain slice, and anesthetized animals to monitor cell electrical activity. As a result of the NIEF research infrastructure and expert technical personnel, 113 peer reviewed manuscripts have been published, leading to 1,816 citations. Moreover, data obtained from the NIEF cores were included in 84 grant proposals that were submitted to federal, state, and private agencies, and from those submitted, 48 were funded. Furthermore, research performed in the NIEF permitted the innovation of new technology by supporting investigators with the development of 7 patents. Finally, over 50 graduate students from eight different departments and three main research institutions have benefitted from the NIEF cores by being able to complete at least one of their theses aims and attain their academic degrees, thus demonstrating the impact of the NIEF in the scientific community of Puerto Rico. These results confirm the beneficial impact of the NIEF cores on the investigators in the island. Therefore, in this COBRE phase 3 proposal, the goal is to maintain, strengthen, and support the NIEF cores by implementing three aims: 1) to provide scientists in Puerto Rico with state-of-the-art instrumentation in microscopy and electrophysiology, 2) to support the investigators in the island with expert staff that will help them with the acquisition and analysis of the data from microscopy and electrophysiology techniques, and 3) to train researchers in several technologies associated with these two approaches (microscopy and electrophysiology) via seminars, workshop, and hands-on training. Thus, the facilities and services will continue to help investigators use the most innovative electrophysiological and microscopy technology to generate interdisciplinary projects to study biological and biophysical phenomena under the guidance of experienced and excellent staff. Fulfillment of these aims will enable a transition of the NIEF to a completely self-sustained facility beyond COBRE phase 3 and a role model for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.