Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Pittsburgh received a $516,462 Project Grant from the National Institutes of Health Office of the Director under the Research Infrastructure Programs (CFDA 93.351) to acquire and install a Nikon AXR confocal microscope system at the Center for Biologic Imaging within the School of Medicine. The award, dated May 15, 2026, with a completion date of May 14, 2027, funds the purchase of a single integrated 4-color confocal microscope with resonant scanning capabilities, motorized inverted stand, four GaAsP detectors with customizable spectral tuning, and point-scanning capabilities. This instrument will replace aging equipment and expand microscopy services to address critical capacity constraints affecting the institution's research base.

The confocal microscope will be integrated into the Center's core facility operations to support the >300 research teams and approximately 1,000 individual users currently utilizing the center's confocal imaging services. Given that current systems operate at 2,500–3,000 usage hours annually and nearly all use is by NIH-funded research groups, the new system addresses documented instrument saturation and maintenance limitations resulting from the retirement of a 19-year-old system and impending obsolescence of a 16-year-old system. The acquisition provides researchers with enhanced technical capabilities while enabling the center to maintain essential light microscopy services critical to the institution's expanding NIH-funded research infrastructure.