The investigators of the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute (MCRI) at the New England Medical Center use in vitro molecular biological, cell biological and transgenic approaches to explore the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and to validate new therapeutic targets. MCRI investigators pursue varied, yet complementary avenues of research--the vast majority of which are NIH-supported. Two broad treas of research within the MCRI include cardiomyocyte and vascular biology. We examine the normal and pathophysiologic regulation and function of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, vascular inflammation, vasomotor tone, cardiac development and cell proliferation. A large fraction of NIH-funded MCRI Investigators as well as other NIH-funded Investigators within the Tupper Research Building, wherein the MCRI is housed are, as a major focus of their work, currently examining protein phosphorylation and gene regulation. These studies rely heavily on the use of western blotting, autoradiography and microarray analysis--often within the same experiment. Moreover, much of this work involves the examination of] clinical samples which are typically available only sporadically, and in fleetingly small quantities. Similarly, [samples from transgenic animals--mice especially--provide only small amounts of starting material which """"""""often needs to be subdivided for parallel analysis using separate pieces of equipment. Key to the success of signal transduction and gene regulation research are reagents and equipment capable of generating reproducible results at the high levels of sensitivity needed to detect and monitor low abundance macromolecular species. At this time, we are relying on individual investigators', outdated, low sensitivity equipment, which substantially reduces the efficiency, flexibility and throughput of our research. A dedicated state of the art gel/blot analyzer, equipped also for microarray analysis, with the ability to use the most up to date, high sensitivity, three color analysis methods, would substantially enhance the throughput, reproducibility and flexibility of our work. Such an instrument is not currently available to the NIH-funded investigators taking part in this proposal. The purpose of this proposal is to gain the support needed to purchase an Amersham Biosciences Typhoon 9410 Variable Mode imager that can be used for the wide array of protein phosphorylation, signal transduction and gene regulation applications that comprise the current and growing NIH-funded research base described by the investigators of this proposal.
