Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The purpose of this application is to acquire a state-of-the-art multi-mode microplate reader to replace a ~12-yr old reader showing signs of fatigue and for which technical and material support is no longer available. This instrument, devoted to absorbance determination only, is heavily used on a daily basis by more than 10 laboratories and is absolutely crucial to the pursuit of numerous research programs, a majority of which is NSERC-funded. With the purchase of a high performance reader we wish also to extend our technical capabilities far beyond what is feasible with the current instrument. <br /> <br /> Modern immunology, microbiology and cellular biology approaches require assessing multiple types of biochemical processes in real time and within living cells. An ever-growing number of techniques have been developed to precisely monitor these events such as BRET, FRET, TR-FRET and FP. These technical approaches would be available to co-applicants and other users at INRS-IAF with the purchase of a multi-mode microplate reader in addition to the more conventional detection of absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence. <br /> <br /> In summary, the replacement of the current microplate reader is essential and urgent for the continuity of our NSERC-funded programs, for the development of innovative research approaches and for the recruitment of new high calibre scientists at INRS-IAF.<br /> <br />