Project Summary The MESO SECTOR S 600MM Ultra-Sensitive Plate Imager (with Methodical Mind software) is the flagship instrument of MSD. Its high-speed, low noise CCD camera provides high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and rapid read times. This instrument equipped with 96 well and 364 well capacity delivers the industrial-grade throughput and reliability required in the most demanding research environments. This instrument can be used for the following applications: (i) metabolic research, (ii) immunology/inflammation research, (iii) bone disorders, (iv) cardiovascular diseases, (v) neurobiology/neurodegeneration research, and toxicology studies that are associated with cardiac injury, kidney injury, and liver injury. Cytokines and chemokines are small signaling proteins secreted primarily by immune cells. Their main function is to coordinate cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Cytokines and their receptors participate in a diverse array of functions including innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, immune cell differentiation, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, development, neurobiology, and viral pathogenesis. Dysregulation of cytokine expression is a cause of immunological and inflammatory diseases, as well as other disease conditions. Many different cell types secrete chemokines, most often to attract immune cells to the site of infection or injury during innate and adaptive immune responses. The capability to measure cytokines/chemokines in small tissue or plasma samples will significantly and positively impact many VA-sponsored projects in basic, translational, and preclinical biomedical/behavioral research relevant to Veteran’s healthcare currently conducted at the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). Cytokines/chemokines are affected in several disease states including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, osteoarthritis, addiction, traumatic disorders, bipolar disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, alcohol abuse, and chronic kidney diseases. We are a group of 10 currently VA funded and 5 previously VA funded investigators with VA Merit and CDA Awards who will directly benefit from acquisition of VASDHS does not have the MESO SECTOR S 600MM Ultra-Sensitive Plate Imager. Our projects encompass a wide range of fields and research, including nephrology/hypertension, endocrinology, neurology, anesthesiology, pulmonary and critical care, gastroenterology, rheumatology, immunology, cardiology, urology, and psychiatry. The acquisition of the VASDHS does not have the MESO SECTOR S 600MM Ultra-Sensitive Plate Imager will not only impact basic pre-clinical research at VASDHS, but also is expected to have a strong and positive effect through improvement of patient clinical care and supporting the VA healthcare mission.