The Dynamic Cell: A High-Speed High-Resolution Microscopy Platform for Biomedical Imaging. (360G-Wellcome-108427_Z_15_Z)

Many groups at UCL are studying the behaviours, physiology and dynamic functional changes of intracellular structures, cells and cell populations. These studies require the ability to combine data acquired at low magnification with data obtained at high spatial resolution. In addition, ultra-fast acquisition rates, together with the ability to manipulate sub-cellular structures and organelles through optical techniques is crucial. Temporal and spatial information is critical for understanding mo st cellular processes. These include the dynamic localization of proteins, including signaling components, the topology of specialized cellular structures and organelles as well as their function and movement. Nano-ablation, FRAP, photo-uncaging and optogenetics provide invaluable techniques to study the mechanical and biochemical dynamics, behaviours and functional properties of cells and tissues in development, in physiology and in disease. Current instrumentation at UCL lacks the sensitiv ity, speed, power and resolution that are available in new generation instruments. The new dynamic cell-imaging platform requested here will be incorporated into the Bloomsbury Consortium for Advanced Light Microscopy, a multiuser Core Imaging Facility at UCL. It will complement existing light imaging resources that include a new super-resolution platform supported by an MRC Next Generation Optical Imaging award.