Zeiss 880 confocal with Airyscan to study auditory/vestibular function

Abstract

We are a group of federally-funded investigators at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) who are requesting funds to purchase a Zeiss LSM 880 confocal microscope with an Airyscan module to perform enhanced super-resolution imaging. Our collective research focuses on neurological research issues of interest to both the Department of the Navy as well as to the Department of Defense. These issues include auditory/vestibular development as well as responses to sound- and mechanical trauma-induced injury. These studies require rigorous analysis of microscopic events occurring at the tissue, cellular and sub-cellular range. While other confocal microscopes are present at UMMC, our need for access far exceeds availability. Further, the acquisition of Airyscan will enhance spatial resolution by up to 1.7x beyond what is capable with current confocal microscopy enabling the detection and analysis of sub-cellular events to a degree not possible with standard confocal microscopy. This would significantly enhance the capabilities of our core group. In addition, this would also represent a significant acquisition for the state of Mississippi. Access to cutting-edge imaging equipment is limited within the state. Our ability to establish superresolution imaging within UMMC would represent a major opportunity for researchers in Mississippi to gain access to next generation imaging technology. Such access would open doors for new collaborations within UMMC and at institutions throughout the state that would be focused on research areas designed to protect the Warfighter (ex. basic biomedical research, casualty care and management, noise-induced hearing loss and stress physiology, to name only a few). In addition the acquisition of this instrument would enhance the educational mission of our institution allowing facilitating the training of graduate/medical students, post-doctoral fellow and residents in the areas of research described above.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 27, 2018
Source ID
N000141812716

Entities

People

  • Raymond Grill

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center

Tags

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Research Science/Academic Research

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology