Fluoview FV4000 confocal microscope for biomedical research in idaho - this proposal represents a request from a group of investigators from the departments of biological sciences, biomedical and…

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research awarded Idaho State University $249,779 on September 1, 2026, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) to acquire a FluoView FV4000 confocal microscope for the university's Advanced Imaging Facility in Pocatello, Idaho.

The FV4000 confocal microscope will replace an obsolete FV1000 unit and support high-resolution imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction of spatial organization in fixed and live cells across multiple research projects. The equipment will serve investigators from Idaho State University's Departments of Biological Sciences, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Chemistry, as well as collaborators from the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Idaho-Aberdeen Research and Extension Center. Research applications include studies of aging impacts on insulin secretion and type 2 diabetes, craniofacial development, xenobiotic-associated autoimmune disease, gene expression pathways in Plasmodium falciparum parasites causing malaria, and gamma-aminobutyric acid effects on astrocyte lipid metabolism related to Alzheimer's disease.

The microscope will also support educational activities in two vertical integrated project programs—Neurobiology Across the Lifespan and Gene Regulatory Networks—and the Idaho State University Summer Student Research Program of Idaho-INBRE. The shared resource will benefit undergraduate and graduate students at Idaho State University and other universities and research institutes across Idaho. The award period runs through August 31, 2027.

Fluoview FV4000 confocal microscope for biomedical research in idaho - this proposal represents a request from a group of investigators from the departments of biological sciences, biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, and chemistry at idaho state university (ISU), as well as the united states department of agriculture and the university of idaho-aberdeen research and extension center, for funding to acquire a shared-resource FV4000 confocal microscope. The acquisition of the FV4000 confocal microscope is an urgent necessity to replace the existing, obsolete FV1000 unit in our advanced imaging facility. The FV4000 confocal will enable the acquisition of high-resolution images and three- dimensional reconstructions of spatial organization in both fixed and live cells, supporting a wide range of research projects funded by the NIH and NSF. Moreover, the FV4000 confocal will support educational activities in two vertical integrated project programs: neurobiology across the lifespan and gene regulatory networks, as well as the ISU summer student research program of idaho-inbre. This initiative will benefit both undergraduate and graduate students at ISU, as well as those at other universities and research institutes across idaho. Research projects that will benefit from the FV4000 confocal include but are not limited to 1) understanding how aging impacts regulatory mechanisms of insulin secretion and its association with type 2 diabetes, 2) identifying genes associated with craniofacial development, 3) understanding the immune mechanisms underlying xenobiotic-associated autoimmune disease, 4) identifying gene expression pathways in the mitochondria in plasmodium falciparum parasites that cause malaria and 4) understanding the impacts of gamma-aminobutyric acid on astrocyte lipid metabolism and its association with alzheimer's disease. The expertise and institutional support for this instrument are exceptional. The system will be housed in and managed by the molecular research core facility (mrcf) located under the supervision of ISU office for research associates lisa mcdougall and jason werth, who have combined over 20 years of experience in supervising this facility and maintaining high-end research equipment in microscopy. Also, DRS. DE LA cruz, RAY and serve (major users) have extensive experience in confocal microscopy. The office for research will be supporting post- award expenses to ensure the FV4000 confocal operates optimally throughout its lifespan.