# Imaging Research Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI · 2020 · $197,664

## Abstract

There is an unequivocal need to develop and employ advanced techniques in microscopy toward
understanding the cellular functions of glycans. Glycans participate in many cellular properties, including cell
structure, cell-cell recognition, protein trafficking, and protein-protein interaction. Hence, changes in glycan
abundance or composition can have considerable effects on cellular function, and as a consequence human
health. Advanced imaging techniques are becoming a vital part of an integrative approach to understanding
the roles of glycans in health and disease. These techniques provide insights into molecular composition,
while preserving the spatial context of the chemical, structural, and physiological responses to changes in
glycans. Recent advances in identify lectin specificities and the availability of a broad range of fluorescently
labeled and biotinylated lectins has rapidly advanced our ability to identify changes in the location and
abundance of specific glycans in cells and tissues. Moreover, several powerful approaches in confocal
microscopy, including FRET, FRAP, and FLIP, permit highly sensitive measures of molecular dynamics within
living cells. These measures will help researchers understand the fundamental effect glycans have on cellular
function. The central goal of this proposal is to bring the ability to employ advanced imaging techniques to the
GlyCORE investigators in their diverse research programs and to help develop new approaches in the cell
biology of glycans. These goals will be accomplished in three aims: 1) establish an imaging core that contains
three different imaging platforms, including a powerful new confocal microscope; 2) support the GlyCORE
investigators in their individual projects by working to develop new imaging applications; and 3) develop an
extensive training program to develop expertise and awareness of new methods in imaging and image
analysis. This proposal will transform research in the glycosciences at the University of Mississippi by
providing access to advanced instrumentation and expertise and training in the use of these imaging systems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853995
- **Project number:** 1P20GM130460-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
- **Principal Investigator:** Gregg W Roman
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $197,664
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-15 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853995

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853995, Imaging Research Core (1P20GM130460-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853995. Licensed CC0.

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