Advanced Point-scanning Confocal Microscope for a Microscopy Core Facility

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This application is a shared instrumentation grant from the Analytical Imaging Facility (AIF) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to acquire a new, advanced point-scanning confocal microscope. The AIF supports many investigators at Einstein (134 Principal Investigator Laboratories in 2021), including many NIH funded investigators, by giving them access to state-of-the- art microscopy technologies that enhance cutting edge, collaborative, and multidisciplinary research. Currently, the AIF has two point-scanning confocal microscopes with a total usage of 3370 hours in calendar year 2021. However, one of these microscopes, the Leica SP5 confocal is reaching its end of usage due to aging, discontinuation of the service contract by the vendor, and difficulties obtaining parts needed for repair. In order to continue to support the ongoing NIH funded biomedical research that relies on confocal microscopy, we need to replace the failing instrument with a new confocal microscope that can offer all the functions of our current microscope, including regular multi-channel high resolution 3D imaging, live-cell imaging, and flexibility in channel set-up to enable use of many different fluorophores. There have been some major innovations in the field of confocal microscopy with regard to detectors, laser design, and deconvolution options since the Leica SP5 confocal was purchased, and we believe that an update in technology will enable some of our NIH- funded researchers to conduct experiments that have previously been challenging to conduct. Overall, acquisition of this advanced instrument will have a high impact on the NIH-funded biomedical research at Einstein, including the following major user projects: investigation of the role of histones in regulating cancer dormancy (Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso), impact of morphine on HIV neuropathogenesis (Dr. Berman), study of cancer stem cells in colorectal cancers (Dr. Edelmann), study of entry and assembly of rubiviruses (Dr. Kielian), investigation of mitochondrial metabolism and cell death with regard to myocardial infarction (Dr. Kitsis), study of cell fate choices in the forming mammalian heart (Dr. Morrow), and study of receptors in regulation of cardiac myofibroblasts (Dr. Santulli). There are also additional minor user projects and 60+ labs currently using confocal microscopy here at Einstein that will benefit from this technology.