This is a proposal to replace a transmission electron microscope which is worn out and limited in quality and state-of- the-art features. The new microscope requested provides greater magnification and resolution and includes features to protect samples from electron beam damage, enabling the acquisition of greater informational content from observations of cells. A goniometer stage permits structures obscured in normal orientation to be tilted and rotated until seen clearly. Whole cell or organellar three-dimensional reconstruction from thin sections is possible with the computer aided image analyzer. The instrumentation package will be used to identify features of the cell surface, developmental processes, organellar arrangements, and organellar functions valuable in systematic and cell biological considerations of algae, aquatic fungi and higher plants. Moreover, and ecological study focuses on translocation of heavy metals in mycorrhizal associations between fungi and plant roots grown in sludge. Procurement of a new, improved instrument will significantly improve the quality and quantity of research from these research programs.
