Temperature control upgrade for atomic force microscope to image biological membrane

生命系统的几乎每一项功能都涉及由膜隔开的隔间之间的物质或信号的协调和调节交换。质膜本身是由小的动态隔室--筏组成的。这些木筏是细胞与周围环境交流的中心，对温度的变化高度敏感。类固醇，如胆固醇和皮质醇，在感觉和调节机制中发挥着重要作用，这与膜熔化转变有关。Leonenko博士和Vijayan博士的研究合作重点是研究模型脂膜和鱼类质膜的相变，目的是阐明皮质醇和胆固醇对这些与脂类融化相关的调节机制的影响。这需要使用先进的显微镜方法，例如具有精确温度控制的原子力显微镜(AFM)。Leonenko博士的实验室有AFM，但该仪器目前只能在室温下工作，不能在成像过程中进行精确的随时间变化的温度变化。增加温度控制升级是至关重要的，以便能够研究模型和FISH质膜中的熔融转变。这将使我们能够阐明不同的化合物，包括外源化合物、药物和激素在模型和动物质膜结构和功能随温度变化中的作用。如果没有这种设备，我们将处于劣势，因为我们的能力仅限于在室温下研究模型膜，而无法研究相变。这对于了解膜结构和功能的错综复杂的动物膜尤其重要。为了继续我们在这一跨学科研究领域的研究和学生培训，购买温度控制器和配套附件以升级AFM仪器是必不可少的。滑铁卢没有这种设备，它将提高我们的跨学科研究能力，促进合作，使滑铁卢成为膜生物物理和膜生物学领域的领导者。

Almost every function of a living system involves a coordinated and regulated exchange of matter or signals between compartments separated by membranes. Plasma membrane itself is composed of small dynamic compartments - rafts. These rafts are central to the communication of cells with their environs and are highly sensitive to the changes in temperature. Steroids, such as cholesterol and cortisol play an important role in the sensing and regulation mechanisms, which is linked to membrane melting transitions. Dr. Leonenko's and Dr. Vijayan's research collaboration focuses on studying phase transitions in model lipid membrane and fish plasma membrane, and has a goal to elucidate the effect of cortisol and cholesterol on these regulation mechanisms associated with lipid melting. This requires using advanced microscopy methods, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) with precise temperature control. AFM is available in Dr. Leonenko's laboratory, but this instrument currently can operate at room temperature only, and does not allow precise time dependent temperature changes during the imaging. It is critical to add temperature control upgrade to allow for the investigation of melting transitions in model and fish plasma membranes. This will allow us to elucidate the role of different compounds, including xenobiotics, drugs and hormones in the temperature-dependent changes in structure and function of model and animal plasma membrane. Without this equipment we are at a disadvantage as our capabilities are limited to just studying model membranes at room temperature and will no be in a position to study phase transitions. This is especially critical for animal membranes in order to understand the intricacies of membrane structure and function. In order to continue our research and student training in this interdisciplinary research area, the purchase of temperature controller and matching accessories to upgrade the AFM instrument is essential. This equipment is not available at Waterloo and will advance our interdisciplinary research capability, fostering collaborations, and making Waterloo leaders in the area of membrane biophysics and membrane biology.