# Microscopy and Image Analysis Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MAINE ORONO · 2024 · $397,220

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: MICROSCOPY AND IMAGE ANALYSIS CORE
The proposed COBRE will establish a center of excellence at the University of Maine (UMaine) focusing on
the impacts of extracellular signaling on cell behavior. The five interconnected projects in this proposal will
elucidate the intricacies of extracellular signaling, which will require sophisticated and dynamic analyses of
cellular structure in vivo. In addition, all five of the proposed research projects are structured around
longitudinal designs that require higher throughput imaging of live systems over a longer period of time. The
five projects will also incorporate novel, unbiased image analysis paradigms that will increase rigor and
reproducibility. To address these needs, the proposed COBRE Microscopy and Image Analysis Core (MIAC)
has two specific aims to provide training and access to (1) state-of-the art, high resolution live imaging services
and (2) experiment planning, image acquisition and image analysis services as well as data storage and
management. MIAC will provide training and access to state-of-the-art, high resolution live imaging
services, including a recently-acquired inverted Leica confocal/lightsheet microscope, an upright Zeiss
Airyscan2, and an Olympus FV-1000 confocal. In addition, funding through the NIH COBRE program will allow
UMaine to acquire an inverted Zeiss LSM900 with Airyscan2 confocal microscope designed for live imaging of
infectious disease, which will be a unique capacity in the state. MIAC will provide wraparound services from
experimental planning to expert data management and image analysis. These services are critical for
rigor, reproducibility and maximizing the impact of microscopy equipment on the proposed research projects
and for other users. The MIAC core will provide one-on-one mentorship of users in planning, executing,
analyzing, and storing their data. This will include instruction in the theory and practice of microscopy, as well
as ongoing support for microscope troubleshooting, image analysis with Zen, ImageJ, Matlab, Imaris and Aivia
software packages. The MIAC core is innovative in that it will leverage existing engineering, physics and
biochemistry expertise in imaging and analysis to guide projects and exploit the power of our microscopes and
analysis software from start to finish. The establishment of a Microscopy and Image Analysis Core at UMaine
will fulfill important gaps in biomedical infrastructure in the state and catalyze important new discoveries in how
cell behavior is governed by extracellular signaling in multiple contexts.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10821303
- **Project number:** 5P20GM144265-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MAINE ORONO
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert T. Wheeler
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $397,220
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-05 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10821303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10821303, Microscopy and Image Analysis Core (5P20GM144265-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10821303. Licensed CC0.

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