# ShEEP request for Andor Dragonfly High Speed Confocal Platform

> **NIH VA IS1** · VA PUGET SOUND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Abstract
Request for an Andor Dragonfly High Speed Confocal Platform. We are requesting the
purchase of an Andor Dragonfly spinning disk confocal microscope (aka Dragonfly) for high-
speed and high-resolution imaging of microscopic cellular features. This instrument
incorporates high-speed fully scalable state-of-the-art confocal imaging capable of resolving
sub-cellular protein targets at the cell membrane using total internal reflectance (TIRF), or
deeper in the cell with SRRF-Stream and dSTORM super-resolution techniques. The
Dragonfly uses Imaris for real-time graphics processing unit (GPU)-based image processing
providing seamless integration with downstream image processing workflows and data
analysis, platform interoperability, improved data integrity, audit compliance, and user
productivity. The Dragonfly uses a proprietary multi-point confocal for high-speed and high-
sensitivity imaging that is at least 10 times faster than conventional confocal technology. The
unique illumination method enables even signal intensity across the field of view.
The Dragonfly is the optimal solution to meet a broad array of rigorous live cell imaging needs
that encompass analysis of behaving brain cells in ex vivo experiments examining calcium
dynamics or neuroimmune cell function, cellular transport, synaptic vesicle trafficking, immune
cell mobility and infiltration assays among others. As such, it will advance research into Aging,
Dementia, Traumatic brain injury, and other emergent health concerns including COVID-19.
The instrument will be placed in VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VA PSHCS) GRECC
research space (Building 1 7th floor) and operated by trained staff. Primary users are BLR&D
Merit review funded GRECC core staff: Drs. David Cook, Nicole Liachko, Brian Kraemer, Jose
Garcia, and Chang-en Yu. Secondary users are MIRECC Investigators Jeffery Iliff, Dianne
Lattemann, and James Meabon as well as GRECC core staff Erik Carlson and CDA2 recipient
Rebecca Kow. Purchase of the Dragonfly is expected to increase the competitiveness of the
overall VA PSHCS research program, significantly increase effectiveness and efficiency of
confocal microscope imaging, and further the GRECC and MIRECC research missions by
providing instrumentation necessary for robust cell and tissue based investigations into the
molecular mechanisms of disease and aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10177721
- **Project number:** 1IS1BX005567-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA PUGET SOUND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicole Faron Liachko
- **Activity code:** IS1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-10-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10177721

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10177721, ShEEP request for Andor Dragonfly High Speed Confocal Platform (1IS1BX005567-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10177721. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*