The goal of this proposal is to obtain a new state-of-the-art inverted confocal microscope to augment the heavily used upright confocal microscope in our Microscopy Imaging Center (MIC). This instrument would meet the increasing demand for advanced features not supported by the existing nine year-old microscope and would sustain the need for efficient confocal imaging for years to come with a reliable, high performance system. Importantly, this microscope will permit extended live cell and tissue imaging for short- and longterm physiological experiments. The requested instrument will be essential for future cutting edge biomedical research for the UVM College of Medicine community, and a vital adjunct to the MIC. The rationale for a new system is to enhance and sustain our current confocal imaging capabilities with a broader range of sophisticated imaging applications. A modern scanning confocal system will also meet the progressively increasing demand for specialized confocal imaging, especially for investigations using live cells and thick tissues, FRET/FRAP analyses, and simultaneous multi-channel imaging. Five laboratories have been identified as major users for the purpose of this application because they ? represent most of the projected demand for the requested instrument given their existing and proposed ? applications requirements. We have also identified a strong minor user group that will occupy the remaining time on the proposed new system. All are well-funded investigators with PHS grants. The addition of a new inverted confocal microscope to the MIC is expected to significantly absorb the progressively expanding numbers of users of the facility and meet their specific technical requirements. It will also afford the capacity for advanced high-quality imaging capabilities and ensure sustained and efficient use for the UVM biomedical research community for the future. ? ?
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