Federal Grant Award Summary

Albert Einstein College of Medicine received a $220,042 Project Grant award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director under the Research Infrastructure Programs (CFDA 93.351) to procure a Miniaturized Two-Photon Microscope (Mini-2P) imaging system from Thorlabs, Inc. The award, effective May 15, 2026 through May 14, 2027, supports the acquisition of a state-of-the-art, lightweight, head-mounted microscopy system capable of high-resolution, dual-color imaging in freely moving animals. This advanced instrumentation surpasses the capabilities of traditional one-photon miniscopes and benchtop two-photon microscopes by enabling unprecedented visualization of intact neuronal activity in naturalistic settings.

The Mini-2P system will directly support five major NIH-funded research projects investigating critical neuroscience topics including reward processing, adult neurogenesis, and social behavior regulation. The instrument will facilitate simultaneous imaging of distinct neuronal populations and longitudinal tracking of neurons across extended periods, with particular application to studies of the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus. Beyond these primary users, the system will enhance the Animal Behavior Core facility, providing shared research infrastructure to over 20 laboratories at the institution. This acquisition aligns with institutional strategic priorities in advancing neuroscience discoveries pertinent to neurological disorders such as addiction and autism, supported by sustained institutional funding and expert staffing for long-term equipment maintenance and collaborative research operations.