PROJECT SUMMARY The Biology Department of Temple University requests funds to support the purchase of a scanning confocal laser microscope, which will be used to complement the other facilities that we have available for a combined research/training program in advanced microscopy. For many years, we have been assembling the components of a "virtual laboratory" for advanced biological microscopy. These components include electron microscopes, low light fluorescence microscopes, DlC/Side band microscopes, and a variety of image analysis systems which are run on PC's, PowerMacintosh, and Silicon Graphics computers. This distribution of the components will be discussed in the management section of this application. It is our goal to complete this laboratory by adding a scanning confocal system, which will allow us to add three dimensional analysis to our repertoire. This laboratory will be used in both research and training at all levels within the department. 1. Research. Drs. Gruberg, Myers, Hilfer, Tompkins and Sheffield are interested in using a scanning confocal microscope to visualize biological materials in three dimensions during development. Drs. Gruberg, Myers, Sheffield and Tompkins are particularly interested in nerve development, using several model systems, and Dr. Hilfer is interested in the cellular basis of shape determination in embryos, with particular reference to components of the sensory system. All of these investigators have established research programs and significant publication records. This instrument will be an important resource for the University Neuroscience Program, which shares faculty from the Health Sciences Campus and this one. 2. Training. The microscope will support our training mission as a component of formal classes and the training of graduate and undergraduate students. a. It will be incorporated into an undergraduate/graduate course i n advanced microscopy. This course was recently added to our curriculum, using the existing equipment. The confocal microscope will be a critical addition to the available instrumentation . b. It will be available for undergraduate and graduate student use during independent study/research courses, and during thesis research. We have an active research program supporting graduate students (about 50), and undergraduates (about 30). In the undergraduate program, students work individually with faculty for periods that average two years, during which they carry out independent research projects. Many of these projects have resulted in the publication of research papers with the student as co-authors. The undergraduate research program has been supported by the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates program for the past six years, and we have recently received a three year grant to continue this effort. In addition, the major portion of the grant that we have just received from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute is designed to support student research. The major component of our graduate program, at both the Master's and Doctoral level is research, carried out in close association with a faculty advisor. The five faculty who are participating in the current application currently supervise research of 23 graduate students.
