NEAR FIELD OPTICAL POINT MEASUREMENTS ON LIVING CELLS

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): Our understanding of the molecular control of neuronal function and synaptic transmission is limited because studies are performed using high resolution molecular genetic approaches within the limits of diffraction limited optical microscopy. To increase the understanding of CNS function, it is essential that we can visualize the action of microdomains of molecules or even single molecules in living systems. Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) has revolutionized optical microscopy in the physical sciences by permitting investigations of single molecules with visible wavelengths of light. Recently, the applicant's collaborator, Dr. Haydon, has made modifications to such instrumentation and has demonstrated its utility in biological studies of living systems. The goal of this Phase I proposal is to determine the feasibility of developing turn-key instrumentation for sub- diffraction resolution of living cells. They will develop and evaluate an automated photon feedback (PDF) instrument that was recently invented at Iowa State University, to achieve sub-diffraction optical resolution for studies of living cells. The longer term objective (Phases I and II) is to develop an integrated near-field confocal microscope for biological applications. $ = TOTAL AWARD AMTS & NOT LIMITED TO PORTION OF PROJECT RELATED TO SUBJECT OF SEARCH SUBPROJECT $ = TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT DIVIDED BY NUMBER OF SUBPROJECTS SOURCE: CRISP FORMAT F FY 97 LAST UPDATE 04-07-98 1QUERY 1536 ID SEARCH 06/01/98 PAGE 480 --PROJECT NUMBER......1 R43 MH58042-01 INVESTIGATOR NAME/ADDRESS FY 97 PETERS, RICHARD IRG/INTRAMURAL UNIT..MHSB AAAS SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS INC AWARD AMOUNT......... $115,000 1200 NEW YORK AVE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20005 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION: AAAS SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS, INC. TITLE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEURO-AIDS WEB SITE ABSTRACT: The proposed Phase I project is a demonstration of feasibility of an economically self-sustaining World Wide Web site to facilitate information exchange within and across critical areas of science and encourage new scientific collaborations. The proposed test of feasibility will focus on two crucial questions regarding communication on the World Wide Web: Can authoritative, reliable information be provided through this medium? Will such a medium prove to be a useful forum for the scientific community? Because it is a multidisciplinary field crucial to the AIDS epidemic and remains underserved, neuro-AIDS has been selected for the Phase I test of feasibility. A Web site will be developed focusing on key questions in neuro-AIDS, as selected by a Scientific Advisory Panel of outstanding investigators in the field. The site will be aimed at researchers currently in neuro-AIDS, in other AIDS-related areas, non-AIDS researchers with neuro-AIDS-relevant expertise, clinicians who treat individuals living with HIV, and young investigators in fields such as neuroscience or molecular biology who may consider neuro-AIDS research.