Recipient Organization
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
1310 BOLLEY DR
FARGO,ND 58105-5750
Performing Department
Animal Sciences
Non Technical Summary
The requested microscope will be used to perform a variety of studies related to reproductive, digestive and muscle physiology, and meat quality to help further elucidate the mechanisms supporting the changes observed in experimental treatment groups. This microscope will be used for complex evaluations of blood vessel growth, cell cultures, reproductive evaluations. The new, additional capabilities of this system will facilitate additional experimental approaches that involve the improved quality of cell evaluations and generation of images. This system represents a significant upgrade over the existing equipment as it possesses automated vs. manual features, LED illumination sources and the capability of generating high quality images integrated with computer control. In addition to the higher quality microscope and cameras, the addition of the advanced software will greatly enhance theimage analyses performed by our research groups. In each Focus Area, several graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows and other personnel will be trained on how to use this equipment. It will be very beneficial to send these new scientists on to the next stage of their careers being equipped with the knowledge to use the latest, most recent technology. This microscope will be also used to teach several undergraduate and graduate courses including, Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Physiology, and Advanced Cell Biology.The requested technologically up-to-date microscope is needed for continuance and expansion of our research, teaching and outreach programs. Research focus areas are in line with current national priorities. Funding this equipment request will result in improved graduate training through instruction on instrument use. Perhaps more importantly, research program enhancement will lead to increased effectiveness of associated research programs, generation of new knowledge, and a realization of long-term goals. This proposal not only will enhance knowledge in the area of animal reproduction, but it may also lead to practical and/or commercial applications. There is a growing demand from farm animal producers for modern methods to improve reproductive and nutritional efficiency and to lower the cost of producing better quality animals. The modern physiology laboratory provides the means to help producers apply up-to-date technologies. Modernization and/or adoption of existing techniques and discovery of new ones would have immediate benefits on animal production.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
75%
Applied
25%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Our long-term goals are to answer relevant questions in animal agriculture while training the next generation of scientists. Specific objectives of this grant request are to secure funds for the purchase of a Zeiss Axio Observer Z1 inverted compound microscope, which is necessary for the successful continuance and expansion of current research programs.
Project Methods
Research Focus Areas include: 1) Application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to livestock production, 2) Regulation of angiogenesis and blood vessel function in the reproductive system, 3) Impacts of plane of nutrition on reproductive performance and the endocrine system, and 4) Developmental programming relating to livestock reproduction, metabolism, skeletal muscle development and meat quality. Participating scientists are housed within the Animal Sciences Department at NDSU. The PD and/or Co-PD of the present proposal herein are associated with each research Focus Area. The requested microscope and imaging system will be housed on the first floor of Hultz Hall in the Department of Animal Sciences providing a central location for any experiment to be completed by the PD/Co-PD, the Reproductive Physiology Group and other scientists. It will be managed by the PD and Co-PDs, who are Reproductive Physiologists (Redmer and Grazul-Bilska) and the full-time laboratory manager with previous Core Laboratory managerial experience (Dorsam). This laboratory is a multi-use facility, and serves the needs of the reproductive physiologists, lactation biologists, meat scientists/muscle biologists, nutritionists, and others. It also employs three laboratory coordinators and is used by several collaborating scientists, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, and graduate and undergraduate research fellows, as well as provides opportunities for assisting with teaching and extension activities. Requested equipment will be primarily utilized in research programs associated with the PD/Co-PDs and other faculty from the Reproductive Physiology Group and Animal Sciences Department listed in eachFocus Area.