Integrated DNA damage confocal microscope
Abstract
This DURIP award provides funds for the Principal Investigator to purchase a dedicated integrated confocal microscopy system (i.e. a Nikon A1Rsi Confocal microscope on a Nikon TiE motorized microscope) to house a 355nm ultraviolet laser that induces DNA damage in highly localized regions of a cell. The system will be utilized by two research laboratories associated with the Mitchel Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama, and one research laboratory associated with the College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, to examine the response of DNA damage and repair pathways to induced stress and to determine if exposure to harsh environmental conditions or toxicants impact this response, potentially impacting human health. DNA repair pathways ensure genomic integrity and act as critical checkpoints to induce cell death after induced stress compromises a cell~s ability to maintain its genetic integrity. Understanding the mechanisms by which DNA damage response and repair pathways are induced and modulated by stressors can provide insight into the bypass of damage checkpoints. Defects that enhance checkpoint bypass can promote the survival of compromised or damaged cells and can negatively impact health. The research conducted with the proposed instrument may identify areas for therapeutic intervention that could mitigate exposure effects or enhance resistance to environmental injury. Warfighters are exposed to harsh environmental conditions and toxic chemicals in their operational environments. These exposures can have an immediate impact on a warrior~s performance and health, and also have long-term consequences for performance, cognitive ability, and disease development or progression. The proposed instrument for inducing DNA damage and also imaging will contribute to the mission of the ONR and the DoD by promoting research to determine mechanisms by which cells may resist injury from harsh environments and toxicants. Beyond the value to the research efforts in which it will be used, the equipment will also play an important role in the science and technology education of the students enrolled in the doctoral graduate program in Basic Medical Sciences at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, who will utilize the requested integrated confocal microscopy system in their research projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141613041
Entities
People
- Robert W Sobol
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of South Alabama