(Ultra)microtome for thin and ultrathin sectioning needed for light and electron microscope study of dwarf mistletoe anatomy and reproductive development.

我的nserc资助的项目是专门研究侏儒槲寄生（槲寄生属）的生殖发育，这种寄生开花植物会感染经济上重要的针叶树。显微镜技术是我和我的学生工作的基础。目前，我们正在不列颠哥伦比亚省调查美洲矮槲寄生（Arceuthobium americanum）的发育和扩散事件。由于花粉的有效成熟及其传播控制着圆弧菌作为寄生虫的传播，我们的工作将确定控制方案最终设计的关键阶段。利用光学显微镜（LM）、荧光显微镜（FM）和透射电镜（TEM）对花药和花粉的发育解剖和壁化学进行了研究。实现这一目标的唯一方法是使用多功能切片机/超微切片机制备LM和FM的薄切片，以及TEM的超薄切片。学生们被我的工作所吸引，因为我在显微镜和显微切开术方面获得了出色的技能。2004年，当我第一次来到汤普森里弗斯大学（Thompson Rivers University）时，我在1965年左右继承了一台Sorvall MT-2超微显微镜。这是我和我的学生们一直在使用的唯一仪器，以获取我们令人兴奋的研究成果的章节，这些成果迄今已发表在优秀的期刊上（例如，植物学年鉴）。通过定期维修和亲自维护，我能够让索瓦尔一瘸一拐地行驶。然而，在2012年我第一次获得NSERC DG更新后不久，除了最原始的切片和基本训练外，Sorvall已经无法使用了。200公里内没有其他的微型汽车。为了利用DG，我们迫切需要一种新的、现代的、能够进行薄切片和超薄切片的辅助（超）切片机。由于索瓦尔的“逝去”，我的项目面临着停滞的威胁。通过我的NSERC DG，我提议培训13名本科生和3名研究生，并提供可用于制定有关这种臭名昭著的森林害虫的管理决策的信息。这样的结果，有利于加拿大通过一代新的研究人员和新的信息为林农，只能通过收购（超）显微切片机。

My NSERC-funded program is dedicated to investigating reproductive development in dwarf mistletoes (genus Arceuthobium), parasitic flowering plants that infect economically important conifers. Techniques of microscopy are the foundation of the work my students and I do. Presently, we are investigating developmental and dispersive events of Arceuthobium americanum (lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe) in British Columbia. As effective maturation of pollen and its dissemination govern the spread of Arceuthobium as a parasite, our work will identify key stages toward which a control program may ultimately be devised. We aim to use light microscopy (LM), fluorescence microscopy (FM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine developmental anatomy and wall chemistry of anthers and pollen. The only way this can be accomplished is to use a versatile microtome/ultramicrotome to prepare thin sections for LM and FM, and ultrathin sections for TEM. Students are drawn to work with me because of the excellent skills in microscopy and microtomy acquired. When I first arrived at Thompson Rivers University in 2004, I inherited a Sorvall MT-2 ultramicrotome circa 1965. This is the sole instrument my students and I have been using to obtain sections for our exciting research results published to date in good journals (e.g., Annals of Botany). I had been able to limp the Sorvall along by having it serviced regularly and performing maintenance on it myself. However, shortly after my first NSERC DG renewal in 2012, the Sorvall became unusable for all but the crudest sectioning and basic training. There is no other ultramicrotome within 200 km. To make use of the DG, we desperately need a new, modern accessorized (ultra)microtome capable of thin and ultrathin sectioning. My program threatens to stall because of the Sorvall's 'passing'. Through my NSERC DG, I proposed to train 13 undergraduate and 3 graduate students as well as contribute information that can be used to shape management decisions regarding this notorious forest pest. Such outcomes, beneficial to Canada through generation of new researchers and new information for foresters, can only be made possible through the acquisition of an (ultra)microtome.