Proposal

Narrative

FAU has developed steady growth the last couple of years, achieving recognition nationwide for Neuroscience and Molecular Biology as part of our President’s Strategic Plan. In line with the plan, our proposal is in needed to enhance equipment for ethical animal research training impacting experimental procedures performance for students. Nowadays, our department offers training using a surgical microscope and platform acquired with Tech. Grant funds. Training is offered to Biology and Psychology (memory pathways), Complex Systems (neuroanatomy), Biomedical Sciences (molecular pathways), Education (Exercise and brain) and Engineering (Nanotechnology in biomedical research) impacting 40 research labs, 160 graduate, and 80 undergraduate students working with this equipment. Therefore, this application is a route to acquire equipment otherwise not accessible. We propose: 1. Obtaining two WPI precision trifocal surgical microscopes (one for rat and one for mouse use) for student training in identification and working on animal models for in vivo surgeries and postmortem use. Neuroscience research requires attention to detail for identifing targets in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases). We believe access to the right equipment will promote best research practices and pave the road for greater scientific findings. 2. Obtain five IWB (interactive whiteboard) to enable training access to materials on the internet related to animal research, providing a dynamic learning experience. We want to promote excitement about research, and incorporating the use of IWB will allow students to model and demonstrate subjects during training, as well as instilling a hunger to chase new research quests Improvements to student training fits FAU Quality Enhancement Plan initiative pertaining to FAU research pillars. Our proposal requests hardware totaling $40,205.00, an important and timely investment in FAU’s research infrastructure.

Facilities

None are expected

Hardware Requirements

Goal 1: From WPI systems: • 2 PSMB5N Surgioscope, Binocular $5,495.00 $10990.00 • 2 501636 Adapter video C Mount $655.00 $1310.00 • 2 501637 Beam Splitter PSMB/PSMT $655.00 $1310.00 • 2 USBCAM50 Camera System USB 1/2" $800.00 $1600.00 • 2 Z-LITE-186 Illuminator,FO,110V,W/BI LIGHT $534.00 $1068.00 Subtotal $16,278.00 If completing in vivo procedures under the microscope, we will need to complement the set up with a vaporizer (Kent Scientific) for anesthesia and a warming surgical blanket (HotDog) for body temperature regulation. From Kent Scientific: • 2 VetFlo-1205S Single Channel System, includes new vaporizer, 0 to 1000mL • 2 flowmeter, tabletop stand, inlet/outlet caps, gas filter canister, oxygen tubing, oxygen adapter: $ 5950 • 2 VetFlo-7105 Anti-Spill Device for Funnel Fill Vaporizer $156 • 2VetFlo-0705 0.5L Low Cost Induction Chamber $190 • 2VetFlo-0730 3.0L Low Cost Induction Chamber $190 • 2 VetFlo-0801 Small Low Profile Facemask for mice $178 • 2 VetFlo-0803 Large Low Profile Facemask for rats (up to 300g) $178 • 2 VetFlo-2001-8 Activated Charcoal Absorption Filter 8/pk $176 • 2 IR-TW2 Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer $118 Subtotal: $7136 From HotDog: • HotDog warming surgical system • 2 V006 Veterinary Warming System Controller, Single Port EA $ 3700 • 2 V101 Veterinary Warming Blanket, Xtra Small EA $550 • 2 V102 Veterinary Warming Blanket, Small EA $600 • 2 VET FREIGHT Vet Freight EA $96 Subtotal $ 4946.00 For Goal 2: From Clary Business Machines 5 IWR 55" touch screen 4K UHD LED 10-touch with Android 5 OS, One Screen Annotate SW, wireless keyboard each 2369.00 Subtotal: $11845.00

Software Requirements

None expected.

Personnel Costs

None expected.

Other Costs

None expected.

Timeline

In the event that this project is funded, our department has estimated with WPI, Kent Scientific, HotDog systems and Clary Business Machines that all equipment for the project would be received and installed within a month. We anticipate that training project can start as of 2019.

Sustainability

Our department will maintain the purchased equipment after enhancements to our training program are underway. Our department hopes that upgrades in training resources, will provide a better preparation for FAU to its future AALAC visit, escalating the benefit from our starting point our students (graduate and undergraduate) to our faculty, since such accreditation certifies that research practices at FAU are in compliance with the rest of the scientific community and bolstering extramural funding opportunities with agencies such NIH and NSF.

Resource Matching

None identified.

Implementing Organization

As originally stated, if granted access to funds via this proposal it will allow us to upgrade our infrastructure of core equipment and amplify our outreach for training candidates, benefitting in specific College of Medicine (promoting biomedical research in groups that focus on progression of brain healthy aging by recognizing biomedical markers), College of Science (departments that focus on neuroanatomy and neuromechanisms of learning and memory affected by neurodegenerative disorders), College of Education (Exercise and effect on neurodynamics) and College of Engineering - Bioengineering (Nanotechnology in biomedical research). This means that implementation of technology funds will have about 160 graduate students benefitting from our training enhancements, and about 80 undergraduate students although this number could be higher based on undergraduate students receiving grant projects, Direct independent studies and volunteering at labs that will receive appropriate training to continue their research path at FAU once being promoted to the graduate program.