Typhoon Variable Mode Imager

University Of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Houston TX

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We are requesting funds to purchase a Typhoon model 9410 multi-mode flat bed scanner that will support the research programs of eight NIH-funded investigators at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. The total estimated usage from these eight investigators is 80%, leaving an additional 20% of instrument time to other investigators at the Medical School. This state-of-the-art scanner has the capabilities of supporting chemiluminescent, phosphorimaging and multi-color fluorescence applications required to accomplish the Specific Aims of each investigator described in the application. No other instrument in the Medical School with the capabilities of the Typhoon 9410 scanner is available. The model 9410, as configured, will have three excitations sources providing four excitation wavelengths and dichroic/emission filter combinations capable of resolving up to seven emission wavelengths. These features will provide investigators with excellent flexibility in the choice of fluorescent probes for their specific analyses. In addition, the 9410 has scanning capabilities to 10 <m/pixel resolution adequate for producing images of the brain-wide distribution of single and multi- colored immunofluorescent stained brain sections. The 10 <m scanning resolution will also provide support for the preliminary scanning of microarrays before more expensive and time consuming analyses are pursued. We are also requesting funds to purchase the DeCyder Differential Analysis software package for analyzing 2D DIGE data. The Typhoon and the DeCyder software package are designed to work seamlessly together for 2D DIGE analyses. Funds are also requested to support five network licenses for the ImageQuant analysis software. These licenses will enable up to five investigators to analyze simultaneously data on a workstation of their choice. This capability will significantly increase access to the scanner by freeing up the workstation that directly interfaces with data collection. Institutional support is significant. The UT Health Science Center has committed to support 50% of the maintenance agreement for this scanner and the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the Medical School has agreed to support the other 50% of the maintenance costs. Therefore, the instrument will be fully supported at no cost to the individual research programs. In addition, the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy has committed the space and technical staff support required to properly administer the operation of the instrument. In total, we have a cohort of well-funded NIH investigators without direct access to a multi-mode flat-bed scanning instrument. The requested Typhoon 9410 scanner will enormously facilitate the pace of their research programs and those of other investigators at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.