# Integrated Microscopy Core Facility

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING · 2024 · $339,324

## Abstract

Abstract 
The research of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center (SBC) involves imaging of the nervous system in vivo and 
visualization of the regional distribution and concentration of proteins and transcripts associated with the 
development, aging, and function of the sensory and nervous systems. The University of Wyoming 
Microscopy Core has been built using the funds of the previous IDeA grants. During COBRE Phase I, the Core 
has provided support to researchers from 16 SBC labs and 32 non-SBC labs. The Core has been significantly 
expanded in space and scope. In response to the requests of the SBC members, the Core has acquired four 
new state-of-the-art microscopes and nine new pieces of molecular analysis instrumentation, primarily for the 
transcriptome and genome analysis. To reflect the expanded scope of services, the Core has been renamed 
Integrated Microscopy Core (IMCore). It is now comprising the Jenkins Microscopy Facility (JMF) and the 
Molecular Analysis Unit (MAU). The Phase I grant allowed SBC to leverage the expertise of the Core Director, 
Dr. Zhang, who holds a full-time, university-funded position. Dr. Zhang's leadership has been essential for 
sustaining the IMCore operations and for overseeing its expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 
IMCore has made significant contribution to success of the SBC investigators, as evidenced by their increased 
research productivity, higher success in obtaining external funding, broader IMCore usage, and increased 
collaborations with non-SBC biomedical researchers at UW and seven Wyoming community colleges. The 
overarching goal of COBRE Phase II is to enhance the ability of SBC investigators and other biomedical 
researchers in Wyoming in their research pursuits. The following two specific aims are proposed for COBRE 
Phase II. Aim 1. To improve the organization of the IMCore and to expand the service capabilities in 
microscopy imaging and transcriptome and genome profiling of the sensory and nervous systems. Aim 2. To 
optimize the operational efficiency and enhance the long-term self-sustainability of the IMCore. Completion of 
these aims will help the IMCore: (1) to meet technical challenges and enable innovative research by SBC 
investigators, (2) to foster new and strengthen existing collaborations among SBC investigators, and (3) to 
prepare for long-term Core self-sustainability.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10883787
- **Project number:** 5P20GM121310-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
- **Principal Investigator:** ZHAOJIE ZHANG
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $339,324
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10883787

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10883787, Integrated Microscopy Core Facility (5P20GM121310-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10883787. Licensed CC0.

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