Proposal

Narrative

Optical imaging provides a powerful way to study and characterize biological samples. The technology for optical imaging has developed rapidly and is finding biomedical applications for rapid diagnosis of diseases and providing breakthroughs in understanding fundamental biological phenomena. Knowledge and hands-on experience with these advanced techniques is essential for today’s biochemistry, biology, and biomedical students as they aim for careers in medicine and pharmaceutical/biomedical industries. To meet this instructional need, we developed three new courses Bioanalytical Instrumentation (CHM 4139 & lab, revamped), Bioanalytical Methods and Apps (CHM 6137), and Current Topics in Bioanalysis (CHM 6937) to be launched in Spring 2024 with expected total enrollments of 30 students/year. Strategically, we built a new Advanced Optical Imaging core facility in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (SE-126) to be used for teaching and research across FAU. This facility currently has a pulsed titanium-sapphire laser and an optical spectrograph for spectral analysis, enabling the fundamentals of biomedical optics and nonlinear optical phenomena to be demonstrated to students. With the requested funds we will purchase a microscope with scanning stage along with other optomechanical components that are needed to integrate the microscope with the existing laser and spectrograph. The microscope will greatly expand the teaching and research capabilities of the facility by enabling laser scanning optical imaging of samples using many advanced techniques, including resonance Raman (CARS & SRS), multiphoton, and super-resolution microscopies. In addition to providing cutting edge research experiences for undergraduates, other courses that will be enhanced by this equipment include Biochemistry Lab (BCH 3103L, 50 students/year), Biomaterials (BME 4100/6105, 30 students/year), and Nanotechnology (BME 4571/6572, 50 students/year).

Facilities

The equipment will be installed in the newly established Advanced Optical Imaging facility (SE-126).

Hardware Requirements

The microscope to be purchased from Horiba will be installed and coupled to the Horiba spectrograph already present in SE-126. The list of optomechanical components to be purchased from Thorlabs are required to ensure that the Ti-Sapphire laser beam is directed into the microscope with the right power/pulse energy, spatial, temporal, and polarization features. The oscilloscope to be purchased from Mouser is required to monitor the femtosecond/picosecond pulses from the laser. For example, to perform CARS microscopy, two laser pulse trains need to be precisely spatially overlapped and temporally synchronized at the sample, which is why the oscilloscope and other components are essential.

Software Requirements

No additional computer or hardware is required for the system.

Personnel Costs

Not applicable.

Other Costs

Not applicable.

Timeline

We will purchase the equipment as soon as we are funded in the spring and assemble the equipment in the summer and fall of 2024. The system is likely to be ready to be implemented for the first time in spring 2025 classes.

Sustainability

Beyond the included one year warranty period we will rely on department and college funds for any repairs and maintenance that may be needed.

Resource Matching

Not applicable.

Implementing Organization

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science