Analytical epifluorescence microscope

我们对分析性荧光显微镜的要求将大大提高萨斯喀彻温大学生物学和解剖学/细胞生物学两个单位的几个小组的生产力。该系统将为高分辨率荧光成像和分析提供更多的访问和增强的能力。这是在高影响力期刊上发表文章的必要条件。我们使用两种会聚荧光系统，一种是2002年购买的共聚焦激光扫描显微镜（CLSM），并于2005年升级为另外三种分析类型，另一种是1989年购买的基本会聚荧光显微镜。两者都被大量使用。在这些仪器上的有限时间有时会对这些小组成员的研究进展产生不利影响。随着分子遗传学方法的改进，对荧光成像的需求也在增加。每个提出的系统产生高分辨率的荧光图像，具有多焦级重建和延时成像。每种工具的购买和操作成本都只是入门级CLSM的一小部分。CLSM中的激光器价格昂贵，使用寿命有限：我们已经两次更换了1.2万美元的氩激光器。每种提出的系统都具有比CLSM更宽的激发波长范围，特别是在某些细胞壁和DNA染色的最佳波长。新系统将安装在直立显微镜上，以补充CLSM上的倒置显微镜，并将有一个加热台，这是我们目前所缺乏的。通过添加第三个荧光系统获得高分辨率成像将允许更好地利用CLSM上的专门功能，这些功能不需要重复。直立的形式和加热阶段将允许研究，目前是不可能的。总之，购买一台新的分析性荧光显微镜将有助于增加萨斯喀彻温大学几个小组的研究强度，通过提供新型荧光成像的增强途径，以及进行温度分析的能力。与此相一致的是，我们的提案吸引了来自研究单位和个别教师的配套资金。

Our request for an Analytical Epifluorescence microscope will substantially increase the productivity of several groups in two units at the University of Saskatchewan, Biology and Anatomy/Cell Biology. This system will provide increased access to and enhanced capability for high resolution fluorescence imaging and analysis. This is essential for publication in high-impact journals. We use two epifluorescence systems, a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) purchased in 2002, and upgraded for three additional types of analysis in 2005, and a basic epifluorescence microscope, purchased in 1989. Both are heavily used. Limited time on these instruments has sometimes adversely affected research progress by members of these groups. Need for fluorescence imaging is increasing as molecular genetic methods improve.  Each of the proposed systems produces high-resolution fluorescence images, with multiple focal level reconstruction and time-lapse imaging. Each costs a fraction of the purchase and operational costs of an entry-level CLSM. The lasers in a CLSM are expensive and have limited lifetimes: we have already replaced the $12k argon laser twice. Each of the proposed systems has a wider range of excitation wavelengths than is available with our CLSM, especially at wavelengths that are optimal for certain cell wall and DNA stains. The new system will be mounted on an upright microscope, to complement the inverted microscope on the CLSM, and will have a heated stage, which we currently lack. Access to high-resolution imaging with the addition of a third fluorescence system will allow for better use of the specialized features on the CLSM, that do not need to be duplicated. The upright format and heated stage will permit studies that currently are not possible.    In sum, purchase of a new Analytical Epifluorescence Microscope will facilitate increased research intensity in several groups at the University of Saskatchewan, by providing both enhanced access to new types of fluorescence imaging, and the ability to undertake temperature analyses. Consistent with this, our proposal has attracted matching funds from research units and individual faculty.