51°µÍø researchers awarded $433,938 NSF grant for purchase of a scanning spectral confocal microscope
Eight University of New England researchers have been awarded $433,938 from the National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation program for acquisition of a scanning spectral confocal microscope for multidisciplinary research, teaching and outreach.
The microscope is a versatile instrument suited to many research projects designed to characterize biological processes within organisms and their cells.
It is particularly powerful in that microscopic scans can be processed into three-dimensional representations of a sample which, together with the use of specific stains, can help us understand the relationships between structure and function within a biological system.
The Researchers
Timothy Ford, Ph.D, dean of the 51°µÍø College of Graduate Studies, and James Vesenka, Ph.D., professor of physics, are the principal investigators for the grant.
Co-investigators are Deena Small,Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and physics; Rene LeClair, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry/nutrition; Colin Willis, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology; Anna Bass, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate; Geoffrey K. Ganter, Ph.D., associate professor of biology; and Philip O. Yund, Ph.D., director of the Marine Science Center.
Microscope Core Facility
Ford explained that "the microscope will anchor 51°µÍø's new Microscope Core Facility (MCF), and will be used by faculty, staff, and students in the basic sciences departments."
The seven primary users at 51°µÍø address questions pertaining to signal transduction, the effects of steroids on nervous systems, integrity of the blood-brain barrier, biofilm formation, characterization of fecal pathogens in the environment, and protein-protein interactions.
Acquisition of a confocal microscope was identified by each of these researchers as a critical step forward in developing their research programs.
Focal Point
The new Microscope Core Facility will serve as a focal point to connect a number of formal and informal outreach efforts undertaken between 51°µÍø, our collaborators and local communities.
The highly visual nature of a micrograph lends itself to numerous creative ways to stimulate discussion and interest in science in our K-12 outreach efforts. The MCF will also provide a resource for biological imaging in New England, making the instrument attractive as a tool to increase collaborative research.
"We are delighted to have received this award," said Ford. "The microscope will increase both research productivity and educational quality through provision of a centralized, technician-supported facility providing confocal services to the 51°µÍø research community."