MRI: Acquisition of an Image Analysis Suite for Aquatic Ecology Research and Research Training at the University of Illinois at Springfield

University Of Illinois At Springfield, Springfield IL

Investigators

Abstract

A grant has been awarded to Drs. David Jenkins and Michael Lemke at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) to purchase an image analysis suite to be used in aquatic ecology research and st udent (B.S., M.S.) research training. The image analysis suite will also be available to o ther scientists and students at t he UIS campus. The suite will be composed of three different research-grade Olympus microscopes: a compound light microscope with epifluorescence and phase-contrast capabilities; a stereo dissecting microscope; and an inverted light microscope. All three microscopes can be connected to a computer Image Analysis System with a digital camera, plus that camera can be used to photograph electrophoresis results. Finally, a Polaroid HR 6000 Digital Palette Color Film Recorder will allow digital images to be converted to film suitable for publication or presentation at scientific meetings or in the classroom, and a printer will provide hardcopy capability. Research with the image analysis suite will focus on two related disciplines of aquatic ecology: invertebrate and microbial ecology. Aquatic invertebrate ecology research at UIS investigates: the potential of invertebrates as wetland indicators in central Illinois; mechanisms of organismal spatial patterns in temporary freshwat er ponds; empirically-based models of metapopulation networks and gene flow; and endosymbionts in microcrustaceans. The microscopes will be used frequently for all of that research (e.g., taxonomic identification, fluorescence microscopy to indicate symbiont presence), and images of electrophoresis gels will facilitate research on population genetics. Aquatic microbial ecology research at UIS heavily relies on microscopic analysis (e.g., fluorescent staining for enumeration and biomass) to investigate: bacterial population dynamics in anthropogenically-impacted st reams, t he identification of culturable and non-culturable river microbial communities by advanced molecular biology techniques, degradation of natural and t oxic subst ances by microbial assemblage (i.e. domains Bacteria and Archaea), and rain-pulse effects on bacterial and viral abundance. Students will be trained in use of the suite, and will then conduct research for independent and honor's projects, Masters theses, and advanced courses (e.g., Aquatic Ecology, Microbial Ecology). Ot her science faculty and students will also share in use of the microscopes. The requested instruments will permit an expansion of current research and research training, and will facilitate the collaboration of UIS faculty with investigators at other institutions. UIS students will have greatly improved training and access to important scientific equipment for aquatic ecology, which will in turn advance UIS r esearch capabilities and st rengthen the curricula in the UIS Biology and Chemistry departments.