Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This application, submitted by three faculty members from York University, request funding to purchase a fluorescence microscope and imaging system that is very essential for our research programs.  The principal applicant's research focuses on studying hormones and their role in regulating energy balance, growth and reproduction of fish and mammals.  This microscope and imaging system will allow his group to detect specific probes that can fluoresce when bound to hormones of interest, thus enabling its localization in the body.  The presence, absence or abundance of these hormones allows the researcher to predict the hormonal functions based on its anatomic localization.  This research will provide a better understanding of hormonal regulation of growth, reproduction and bodyweight and could help aquaculture and health research.  The research of the first co-applicant focuses on the hormonal regulation of special structures that facilitate material transport in larval mosquitoes and midges.  Specific proteins that are present in nerves that regulate these structures that are critical for their function and survival will be studied using fluorescent dyes.  The findings of this research could contribute towards developing pest management strategies.  The research program of the second co-applicant aims to study the distribution of novel proteins in plants and their timing of appearance and abundance during flower bud development.  Fluorescence studies will be conducted to identify novel proteins and the amount of these proteins in plant parts important for pollination and survival.  The results of these studies are expected to have applications in plant breeding and cultivation.  Collectively, the research programs of all three applicants have the potential to improve the quality of life and health of the global population and food availability in Canada and the world.  In addition, it provides a unique training opportunity for a large number of highly qualified personnel in three research areas that are economically important to Canada.