Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We are urgently requesting funds for a confocal spinning disk head and laser light source to upgrade an existing widefield microscope to maintain live-cell imaging capacity at Concordia University. Live-cell imaging is the main method used by Dr. Piekny's NSE research program and is also needed to support collaborations and other cell biologists at Concordia. These programs include studies of cell division and how their mechanisms vary with cell type, the development of nanoparticles for use in health and agricultural applications as bioimaging diagnostic or therapeutic delivery tools, and studies of fundamental biological processes including trafficking, lipid biogenesis, fungal pathogens and T cell signaling. The current live-cell imaging system is a swept-field confocal that is no longer supported by the manufacturer. This outdated system cannot support the latest technologies, such as cameras and lasers, rendering them irreplaceable. As evidence of this, a camera that failed on the swept-field confocal was fixed by scavenging parts from a regional defunct system, which is not sustainable. Other components such as perfect focus are not functional, rendering the system unusable for long-term imaging experiments. Thus, the swept-field confocal is on the verge of imminent failure, which would result in the complete loss of live-cell imaging methodology at Concordia with catastrophic consequences to Dr. Piekny's research program as well as multiple others. Importantly, HQP have already suffered delays in their research by not having reliable access to this methodology, while other HQP have not been able to learn this methodology because use of the swept-field confocal has been restricted to prevent further wear-and-tear. However, live-cell imaging is a highly desirable skill for future NSE careers in academia or industry that rely on cell and molecular studies. The most cost-effective solution is to add the requested confocal spinning disk head and laser light source to an existing widefield fluorescent microscope to confer live-cell imaging capacity. This solution will be user-friendly and amenable to use by a broad range of HQP at all levels. The upgraded live-cell imaging system will be housed in newly built space for microscopy in the Applied Sciences Hub, where it will be close to tissue culture facilities and maintained by Dr. Law, who has expertise in imaging and is the current Operations Manager of the Centre for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging. Dr. Law will also train HQP to use the infrastructure in line with equity, diversity and inclusive policies that are currently in place, including establishing an online booking system to ensure fair and equitable access. While HQP in Dr. Piekny's lab will be prioritized, other HQP will have access as needed. Live-cell imaging is a fundamental methodology for research programs that use cell biology, and it is critical to maintain this capacity at Concordia.