Proposal

Narrative

Optical bioimaging uses visible and IR light as an investigative tool for biological research and medical diagnosis. Laser scanning microscopy (LSM) is a form of optical bioimaging that is used to follow cellular processes, quantify ion or metabolite levels, and measure interactions of molecules in live cells with high image resolution. We propose to purchase a pulsed titanium-sapphire laser, which is the basic tool needed to perform a variety of LSM techniques such as optical trapping, lifetime imaging, two-photon fluorescence imaging, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging. The laser will be assembled on an optical table in room 220 of the Physical Science building, which is a teaching laboratory on the Boca Raton campus, coupled to a pre-existing inverted microscope and a mini-spectrometer for spectral analysis. The system will allow students to explore biomedical optics in a hands-on fashion while also being suitable for research-level optical imaging experiments by undergraduate, graduate and faculty researchers. Biomedical imaging cross-cuts chemistry, physics, biology, engineering and medicine, thus being relevant to the training of students across all of these fields. For example, Chemistry and Biochemistry majors taking Physical Chemistry 1 and 2, and Bioanalytical Instrumentation labs, FAU Max Planck Honors Program students taking Honors Advanced Cell Imaging for Neuroscientists (PCB 4933C), Bioengineering students taking Advanced Biotechnology Lab (RAT 6616), Molecular Cellular & Tissue Biomechanics (CAP 6778), or Advanced Data Mining & Machine Learning (COP 6726), and Medical Physics students taking Medical Imaging Physics (BME 6222). To accompany this new technology acquisition we will develop a new Biomedical Imaging course for undergraduate and graduate students, similar to those that are now being offered by leading institutions around the country.

Facilities

Hardware Requirements

Ti-Sapphire laser Optical table and legs Mini-spectrometer Computer for system control (all are included in the budget) Inverted Microscope (already available - not included in the budget)

Software Requirements

Software for spectrometer and laser control are included as standard with these items.

Personnel Costs

Not applicable

Other Costs

Not applicable

Timeline

Hardware purchases in spring 2020 Assembly in summer 2020 Available for student use in fall 2020

Sustainability

Beyond the 1-2 year instrument warranties, instruments will be repaired as needed using Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry funds.

Resource Matching

Not applicable.

Implementing Organization

College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.