Storage and processing equipment

本申请为购买超低温储存和处理血液和组织样本所需的设备提供资金，用于动物模型中与享乐、内分泌和免疫状态相关的生化标志物。我们将这些标记与我们的行为和生理指标电池结合使用，以评估奖励的影响，无论是通过电刺激还是通过丰富的环境产生的雄性和雌性大鼠。我们对奖励体验的认知和情感后果都很感兴趣，这些奖励体验会影响到那些暴露在压力源下的动物，并伴随它们一生。迄今为止，我一直依靠同事们的慷慨来储存和处理我不断扩大的组织和血液样本。如果能够对储存在可靠的温度控制环境中的组织进行ELISA等内部分析，我的研究项目的生产力和效率以及对学生培训的贡献将大大提高。因此，这是一个冷冻机，平板阅读器，和孵化器/摇床组合的要求。

This request is for funding to purchase needed equipment for ulta-low temperature storage and processing of blood and tissue samples for biochemical markers related to hedonic, endocrine, and immune status in our animal models. We use these markers in conjunction with our battery of behavioural and physiological indices to evaluate the influence of reward, whether generated by electrical stimulation or via an enriched environment in male and female rats. We are interested in both the cognitive and emotional consequences of reward experiences in animals that have been exposed to stressors and follow them over the life span. To date, I have depended on the generosity of my colleagues to store and process my expanding collection of tissue and blood samples. The productivity and efficiency of my research program and contribution to student training would be greatly enhanced if in-house analyses such as ELISA could be conducted on tissue stored in a reliable temperature controlled environment. Hence, this is a request for a freezer, plate reader, and incubator/shaker combination.