Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

This request for instrumentation is from three NSERC-funded researchers from Mount Allison University who study the function of cells across biologically diverse species including marine bacteria and phytoplankton, ticks, companion and agricultural animals, wildlife species, and humans. Although diverse in their applications, these researchers have in common a focus on increasing our understanding of the complex physiological processes that occur in cells in their natural environment and following exposure to environmental stressors.******This application is for a state-of-the-art microscope with environmental controls that will allow the researchers to tightly control the environment in which the cells grow while permitting the simultaneous capture of high-resolution images of the cells in real time. The programmable features of this automated device and its capacity to record images of both stained and unstained cells will allow the researchers to simultaneously take many different types of measurements. If a picture tells a thousand words, then this detailed imaging approach to measuring changes in cell function will provide unparalleled access into the complex cellular controls under study.******One of the research labs will use these cutting-edge techniques to identify how human cells sense nutrients in their environment and the impact these nutrients have on cell metabolism, growth, and function. These studies focus on a large family of cell surface receptorsG protein-coupled receptorsthat act as molecular receivers to detect changes in the cellular environment in the form of sugars, fats, and proteins, and translate these signals into the necessary molecular responses to maintain healthy cells. Another researcher will use this instrument to study the physiology of ecologically important phytoplankton species to increase our understanding of how these vital organisms convert light and CO2 into oxygen and energy (primary production), the critical role they play in ocean food webs, and the impact of the environment on phytoplankton growth and resilience within ecosystems. In another lab, student trainees will use this instrument to study the complex relationships established in insect and animal cells following infection with bacteria. These studies focus on the field of epigenetics, which describes the variety of modifications to DNA that complement the instructions provided in our genetic code and greatly influence the ways in which cells function under normal and diseased conditions.******The requested infrastructure would greatly increase the capacity of these and other research programs in the region by providing us with the ability to rapidly generate and analyze biologically relevant data from cells of any organism. Funding this application will support the development of novel lines of inquiry, provide cutting-edge training to numerous highly qualified personnel, and advance both Canadian and international research across multiple disciplines.