Intravital microscopy system for observations on the peripheral vasculature in situ

我有一个不断增长的NSERC项目研究外周血管功能特别是它适用于骨骼肌功能和活动性充血。在NSERC和CIHR的联合资助（CHRP）下，我还与皇后大学的Anne Croy博士、Alistair Summerlee博士和Pat Wright博士有非常富有成效的合作，他们都使用显微镜来回答NSERC资助的研究问题，并培养高素质的人员。目前的设备要求是一个活体显微镜系统，包括一个用于活体显微镜的立式奥林巴斯显微镜，一个用于图像采集的相机，以及一个用于显微外科手术的立体显微镜。这些设备，再加上用我最后的启动资金购买的设备，将允许建设第二个显微镜站。这种显微镜配置已经存在于我的实验室，这个要求是非常需要的，第二个显微镜系统具有类似的配置。需要这些设备的原因是为了维持和发展我目前的项目，促进目前的合作，并能够适应新的合作。实验平均5-6小时，目前的显微镜设备每天用于3次实验，因此每天大约15-18小时。如此大量的使用来自于目前在我的实验室接受培训的3名研究生，随着非常有才华的研究生和来自非常富有成效的合作的学生的增加，这个数字有望增加。我目前项目的发展，合作的可持续性以及未来合作的可能性取决于构建第二个显微镜系统的能力。

I have a growing NSERC program in the investigation into peripheral vascular function especially as it applies to skeletal muscle function and active hyperemia.  I also have very productive collaborations with Dr. Anne Croy at Queens' University, fostered by joint NSERC and CIHR funding (CHRP), Dr. Alistair Summerlee, and Dr. Pat Wright, all of which are using microscopy to answer NSERC funded research questions and train highly qualified personel.     The current equipment request is for an intravital microscopy system including an upright Olympus microscope modified for intravital microsopy, a camera for image acquisition, and a stereomicroscope necessary for microsurgery.  This equipment, coupled with equipment to be bought with the last of my start up funds will allow for the construction of a second microscopy station.  This microscope configuration already exists in my laboratory and this request is for a much needed, second microscopy system with a similar configuration.     The reasons for requesting this equipment is to maintain and grow my current program, to foster current collaborations and be able to accommodate new collaborations. Experiments average 5-6 hours and the current microscopy unit is being used for 3 experiments per day, therefore from approximately 15-18 hours per day.  Such heavy use comes from the 3 graduate students currently being trained in my lab, with prospects of increasing this number with very talented graduate students and students from very productive collaborations. The growth of my current program, the sustainability of collaborations and the possibility for future collaborations depend on the ability to construct a second microscopy system.