Acquisition of a confocal microscope for research and education at Loyola University New Orleans

About This Grant

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section An award is requested for Loyola University New Orleans to acquire a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope to enrich faculty research, student training, and local outreach activities. This microscope will enable a variety of research pursuits by undergraduate students across 3 major departments, Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology and Neuroscience. Research projects that will be advanced by this equipment include the understanding of a micropeptide in neuronal biology of the aging brain that is a novel target for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease study. Further, we study transcription factors in connective tissue development and aging that are important for chronic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. We also have research efforts studying cell polarity in cancer, the molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration, and characterization of the micro-organisms of local wetland ecosystems that impact the health and economies of Louisiana inhabitants. Participation in research at Loyola University New Orleans is a central component of undergraduate education, and a confocal microscope would advance our research efforts, and prepare our students for graduate study or careers in STEM. Loyola University New Orleans is a primarily undergraduate institution. All labs are focused on the training of undergraduate students to offer them the best possible preparation for graduate and professional schools. This confocal microscope will be the central piece of equipment used in a new mid-curriculum course in the Biological Sciences entitled ‘Microscopy for the life sciences.’ In this course, students will receive training on the microscope and then will independently perform a number of imaging projects with samples ranging from whole organisms (environmental aquatic samples) to organ systems (intact C. elegans nervous system) to tissue sections to live and fixed cellular samples. After exposure to different uses for the confocal, students will design and perform independent research in the laboratories of their individual PIs using their new-found expertise. Further, the microscope will be used in outreach efforts to southeast Louisiana high school teachers and students to inspire the next generation of educators and researchers in this region of the US. This is critical to sustaining the biomedical research workforce in this area.