EMU: Purchase of confocal microscope for the Microscopy Facility at the Institute of Chemistry - UNICAMP

• Grant number: 23/16510-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: René Alfonso Nome Silva
• Grantee: René Alfonso Nome Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Liliane Maria Ferrareso Lona

Abstract

We propose to modernize the confocal microscopy infrastructure of the Microscopy Center at the Institute of Chemistry at UNICAMP. Initially, the proposal explains our current needs for purchasing a new confocal microscopy for the Institute, considering: our previous experience with management for this equipment at the shared facility at the Institute, training and education with respect to this technique, the current model has been discontinued, the identification of problems with the laser source together with the no-warranty policy for repair of the discontinued model, and the outcome of a confocal microscopy workshop held at the Institute to assess current interest in the equipment. In the second part of the proposal, we present technical details of the modern confocal microscopy instruments, including: use of laser sources with wide spectral bandwidth, femtosecond lasers, real-time measurements, measurements with single-molecule sensitivity, and the infrastructure requirements before installation. Broadly speaking, the requested EMU meets a technical need, an existing large user-base with varied research interests, and the available infrastructure at the Institute. (AU)