Award details

Confocal laser scanning microscope: enhancing bioimaging facilities for cell biology and functional genomics

Reference	BB/C511121/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor John Mansfield
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Charles Ainsworth, Professor Liz Baggs, Professor Gerard Bishop, Dr Sylwester Chyb, Dr Alexander Grabov, Professor Murray Grant, Professor Michael Lomax, Dr Glen Powell, Dr John Rossiter, Dr Po-Yuan Shih
Institution	Imperial College London
Department	Life Sciences - Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	199,725
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/03/2005
End date	28/02/2006
Duration	12 months

Abstract

We seek BBSRC support for the purchase of the Leica TCS SP2 AOBS confocal microscope to advance multidisciplinary studies in cell biology and functional genomics and to improve existing bioimaging facilities in the Department of Agricultural Sciences (DAS). The lack of a confocal microscope in DAS restricts development of new research directions and progress of some ongoing projects. The Leica instrument will serve a multidisciplinary research community and form an integral part of current and future BBSRC research programmes. Key features of the Leica TCS SP2 AOBS such as the user-friendly and intuitive software interface are indispensable to ensure reliable operation in the multi-disciplinary and multi-user environment of the Department. The inherent flexibility of the software-enabled optical configuration will allow seamless integration of future applications. In addition to the standard Ar and HeNe lasers providing blue, green and red excitation lines we have requested the 405 nm diode laser for excitation of CFP-based FRET systems, pHluorin and other applications. The 405 nm laser provides a cost-effective alternative to the Ar UV laser for excitation of for example DAPI, Hoechst dyes or tracking accumulation of autofluorescent materials in plants challenged with microbes. Fast repetitive sampling of high resolution images from distantly separated parts of preparations will be achieved through use of the motorised microscope stage. This function is required for studies on signalling and transport as well as for analysis of spatial variations in the dynamics of bacterial populations. The confocal laser microscope will be used to conduct research in the three main areas: 1. Innate immunity in plants: basal resistance in Arabidopsis, role of secretion in cell wall reinforcement, targets of bacterial effectors, induced plant responses, local and systemic signal transduction. 2. Plant cell biology and development: brassinosteroid receptors, long distance phloem signalling, flowering induction, hormonal and ionic signalling in root development, root gravitropism, root developmental plasticity and acclimation to nutrient availability, mineral nutrition and ion transport. 3. Insect cell biology and interactions with plants: Drosophila taste receptor localisation and functional heterologous expression, calcium imaging in taste neurons, glucosinolate biosynthesis and transport in Arabidopsis, and insect feeding. In addition the microscope will support future projects in animal development, soil microbiology and plant sex determination. The confocal laser microscopy facilities will complement the existing imaging suite comprising SEM, TEM, epifluorescence microscope with image documentation and analysis system, and sample preparation sectioning facilities. Currently, the imaging suite is supported by a highly-qualified full-time technician, whose duties will be extended to provide training and support for users of the confocal, and to coordinate maintenance and servicing of the instrument. The proposed research is within the remit of several BBSRC priority areas including Sensing and Signalling Systems (PMS), The Cellular Basis of Multicellular Function (PMS), Gene Function Analysis in Developmental Biology (GDB), Biological Membranes (BMS), Integrative Behaviour of the Soil-Plant Systems (AF), Genes to Physiology (AS). The applicants currently hold BBSRC research grants in excess of 3.6 million pounds. The equipment requested will accelerate progress in these projects and allow us to address new targets in animal and plant cell biology.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Research Equipment Initiative 2004 (RE4) [2004]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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