Research Project
10004074
PROJECT SUMMARY The Imaging Core is an established entity within Sanford Research and provides integral technical during Phase I support of the Center for Pediatric Research in the maintenance and supports of microscopy-oriented imaging equipment and in the delivery of expertise in advanced microscopy techniques and analyses of imaging related data for Project Leaders and other Sanford Research faculty. The objective of the current application is to secure the continuation of Core's operations, to augment and enhance Core's capabilities, and to ensure the quality services of the Imaging Core to the new investigators within the Center for Pediatric Research, as well as continued Core support of the other Sanford Research investigators. To achieve this objective, the following specific aims are proposed: Aim 1: To expand the Imaging Core capabilities. We aim to expand our Core services to include support of a Thermo CellInsight CX7 High Content Screening system for rapid quantification of various cellular parameters, significantly reducing the amount of people-power/time needed for quantitative histology. We will add additional technical support (in conjunction with the Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Core) that can provided analyst support. This expansion will meet the needs of the project leaders within the Center for Pediatric Disease, the other Sanford Research investigators, and scientists from regional institutions, including those at other NIH IdEA-funded sites, and will allow the Core to continue providing training, support and maintenance of its equipment. Aim 2: To provide assistance with project design, manuscript preparation and funding applications. The Core will directly interface with investigators during project design, protocol establishment, execution, and troubleshooting. The Core leads and manager will consult with investigators, offering an expertise in technical approaches. The proposed personnel expansion will enable us to deliver detailed experimental protocols used by the Core for manuscripts and funding applications. Aim 3: To create a sustainable Imaging Core. Our long-term goal is to establish a sustainable Core capable of fully supporting the research demands of our scientists. The Core will develop a fee-for-service structure, which, along with an institutional support, will sustain Core beyond the period of CoBRE support. The successful implementation of these proposed aims will translate into expanded and enhanced services by the Imaging Core, which will meet our growing technical demands. With the additional technical support and enhanced equipment, the Core will efficiently interact with the investigators during all stages of scientific projects, thus fulfilling its purpose: to support the goals of Core users, namely independent scientists seeking to uncover the mechanisms of human health and disease.
