Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

A multi-mode microplate reader is an instrument that uses several different analytical techniques to detect biochemical events within cells, or in extracts from cells and tissues. It relies on the use of light absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence properties which use different wavelengths to detect these biochemical events in a miniature format using 96 well plates. While simple absorbance microplate readers are in common use, in this application I am requesting funds to acquire the first equipment system of this kind on the York University campus: a multi-modal system that can use absorbance, fluorescence as well as luminescence to acquire data. This system will also replace my very old, obsolete systems which served us well in the past, but that have become extremely unreliable, or have single tube operation capabilities which are not conducive to higher throughput applications. My trainees and Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) colleagues will use this new system to analyze 1) the transcription of genes that are activated by contractile activity (i.e. exercise), 2) the emission of reactive oxygen species from mitochondria, 3) oxygen consumption data acquired from muscle cells treated with mitochondrial biogenesis-inducing agents, 4) total protein and nuclear abundance in myotubes, and 5) cardiolipin concentration in muscle cells, among many other applications. All of these measures directly support our NSERC Discovery grant objectives. Acquisition of this new equipment is absolutely essential for us to progress in achieving our NSERC DG research goals. A delay in its acquisition will have a significant impact on our progress, since we use microplate reader technology every day. This equipment will also have a significant impact on the training of HQP. My laboratory is in high demand for MSc, PhD and post-doctoral opportunities, and I currently have 10 trainees on a yearly basis. The microplate reader will allow me to train these HQP in marketable, sophisticated and up-to-date technology (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence), which will serve them well in academic, clinical and other research and analysis settings in the future. In addition, as the Director of the MHRC, I am also submitting this application to help support the >25 other faculty members in the Department of Biology, the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, and the MHRC, with the goal of increasing our currently very limited capacity for biochemical analyses using these important, advanced methodologies at York University.