EMU: Acquisition of confocal microscopy for support of biological and biomedical research in the Center for Biological Sciences and Health at UFSCar

• Grant number: 23/17188-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Roberto Chiaratti
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto Chiaratti
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Anabelle Silva Cornachione ; Felipe Roberti Teixeira ; Fernanda de Freitas Anibal ; Gerson Jhonatan Rodrigues ; Iran Malavazi ; Juliano Rodrigues Sangalli ; Luciana Correia de Almeida Regitano ; Márcia Regina Cominetti ; Maria Cristina da Silva Pranchevicius ; Mateus José Sudano ; Simone Cristina Méo Niciura

Abstract

Research in the field of cell biology is essentially based on fluorescence emission as a key marker of cell structures, molecules, and biological responses. Image detection by fluorescence relies on instruments capable of emitting and detecting light simultaneously at different wavelengths, in three dimensions, with speed, sensitivity and resolution compatible with biological events or structure of interest. Despite the presence of several research groups which are world widely recognized, the São Carlos campus of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) lacks a confocal microscope for analysis of biological and biomedical samples. Acquisition of an instrument that meets this demand would complement the campus infrastructure, enhancing research in areas such as biology, health, agriculture, veterinary, among others, including chemistry and material engineering, both at UFSCar and other institutions based in São Carlos and in nearby cities. Therefore, the present proposal aims to acquire a confocal microscope compatible with analysis of a variety of samples, enabling analysis of complex dynamic events, organelles, and suborganellar components. In brief, the instrument consists of an inverted microscope with motorized operation, chamber with temperature, humidity and CO2 control, plan-apochromatic objectives of 10x, 20x, 40x and 63x, transmitted light, phase contrast and fluorescence analysis at wavelengths equivalent to DAPI, FITC and RHOD. The confocal point scanning system includes to hybrid detectors, one transmitted light detector and four laser lines of 405, 488, 561 and 638 nm. It also includes a highly sensitive prism-based and computer-controlled spectral detection, compatible with all fluorescence channels and analysis of up to five spectrums of fluorescence using a variable pinhole with automatic alignment. The workstation is equipped with anti-vibration table, monitor and computer configured for data acquisition, processing, and analysis. The instrument will be installed in the Multiuser Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology (LMBCM), at the BIOTROP - Unity Integrated Research of Tropical Biodiversity, Center for Biological and Health Sciences at UFSCar, in São Carlos/SP. (AU)