Acquisition of a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope to Examine CNS Activity of Antidotal Oximes and to Enhance Undergraduate Research Training Across the Sciences
Abstract
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act for 2014 allocated $10.7M to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) and to enhance their research and education capabilities in scientific areas relevant to the defense mission. The FY 2014 program supports the acquisition of research equipment and instrumentation to augment existing capabilities and to develop new capabilities that will facilitate greater participation in DoD research programs and encourage more students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This proposal from Principal Investigator, Dr. Erica Fradinger, requests support for the acquisition of a confocal laser scanning microscope (Olympus FV1200) to support research examining the ability of antidotal oximes to rescue organophosphate (OP)-induced CNS toxicity and training across the sciences and social sciences at Whittier College. In particular the acquisition of the FV 1200 will allow the PI to extend her research of blood-brain-barrier (BBB) penetrant oxime antidotes to investigate their effects on both OP-induced PNS and CNS toxicity. Additionally, this instrument will support interdisciplinary research activities in the Center for Science, Health, and Policy, support pedagogical advances, and expose students to cutting edge technologies. Users come from the biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology departments. The requested FV 1200 will expand the research capacity of four faculty, enhance eight courses in the biology, chemistry and psychology departments, and expand the capstone research projects of students across the sciences. While the research and teaching interests of the participants are diverse, all will be able to use the requested equipment to detect, quantify, or visually localize structural and physiological processes at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. In a monthly Users Group Forum, faculty and students will share results to promote discussions regarding data analysis, inspire new collaborations, and expand the training opportunities for students to enhance their preparation for postgraduate work. Two central problems exist with current cholinesterase-reactivating agents for OP poisoning, clinically approved oxime antidotes are not effective against all OPs and do not rescue CNS effects due to poor BBB penetrance. The proposed research by the PI directly addresses the second issue. Studies seek to fill this gap by using the zebrafish model to investigate the ability of novel BBB penetrant oximes, provided by Dr. Palmer Taylor, to rescue OP-induced neurophysiological changes. Unlike mammalian models, the zebrafish model provides a mechanism for live, real-time in vivo studies of neurophysiological changes in intact organisms rather than brain slices. This work will lead to better clinical outcomes for both military and civilians exposed to these chemicals. Peacetime applications include improved therapeutics for livestock and wildlife affected by pesticide exposure. Whittier College emphasizes undergraduate research and active science learning across its curriculum and is known for its strong student-faculty interactions. Both student relationships with faculty and faculty/student research have been identified as key factors related to graduation and academic performance for students of color. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Whittier College is poised to be able to enhance the pipeline of STEM educated minority students. Additionally, the PI proposes outreach activities to Whittier area high schools to promote STEM fields in a region with a strong Hispanic population demographic. Therefore, the requested FV 1200 will significantly enhance the research and learning experiences of students across the sciences and strengthen the pipeline of underrepresented minority students pursuing graduate ...
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510054
Entities
People
- Erica Fradinger
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Whittier College