Proposals

Abstract

This proposal is requesting a high-end camera, optics and software that will help us resolve very small structures in cells. The equipment will give users of the Garvey imaging core access to a super-resolution light microscopy system, and improve resolution on our confocal systems. More than 250 students have been trained on and used the high-end microscopes in the Garvey Imaging Core at UW’s South Lake Union campus. The core is a light microscopy facility in the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM). Students have access to state-of-the-art instruments that are common in research and industry settings, and our microscopes are critical tools for much of the biomedical research students do at South Lake Union. Both the instruments and expertise help students complete current projects and develop new ones. To add a state-of-the-art super-resolution system to the Garvey core, we would like to purchase an Andor iXon EMCCD camera, a SRRF-Stream super-resolution module, and optics and software that maximize the functionality of the camera. This camera and optics will be added to an existing microscope. We would also like to purchase deconvolution software add-ons for our confocal systems. These purchases will significantly improve our ability to resolve fine structures in biological and engineered samples. Dale Hailey--the director of the imaging core--will help students use the equipment and maintain it. He will also be available to help students plan and design experiments and optimize use of the equipment.