Purchase Description - Inscopix 3-30-21_mc.pdf

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is in need of a calcium imaging miniature microscope system to detect the real-time neuronal activity during the animal behaviors, we need to record/track the deep brain circuit dynamic imaging in freely behaving animals to correlate neural activity with behavior. Calcium imaging takes advantage of calcium indicators, fluorescent molecules that respond to the binding of Ca2+ ions by changing their fluorescence properties. This technique has allowed studies of calcium signaling in a wide variety of cell types. In neurons of specific brain regions, electrical activity is always accompanied by an influx of Ca2+ ions. Thus, calcium imaging can be used to monitor the electrical activity in hundreds of neurons in cell culture or in living animals, which has made it possible to dissect the function of neuronal circuits.

2. Background Information and Objective:

NINDS’ previous project has mainly centered on examining the potential role of a novel single-pass transmembrane protein, Shisa7, in regulating GABAAR functional and pharmacological properties. Our previous work has illustrated that Shisa7 is critically involved in the regulation of receptor trafficking and kinetic properties. In addition, genetic deletion of Shisa7 selectively impairs GABAergic transmission and diminishes the effects of the GABAAR positive allosteric modulator, diazepam, in mice (Han et al., 2019). These findings indicate that Shisa7 regulates GABAAR trafficking, function, and pharmacology, and reveal a previously undiscovered molecular interaction that modulates benzodiazepine action in the brain (Han et al., 2020). NINDS is now focusing on understanding how Shisa7 expressed in specific brain regions and/or cell types regulates GABAAR psychopharmacology in vivo. Our preliminary data have shown that the action of propofol, etomidate and diazepam on GABAARs and animal behaviors are strongly diminished in global Shisa7 KO mice. Indeed, Shisa7 KO strongly reduced drug-induced potentiation of GABAAR-mediated whole-cell currents in cultured hippocampal neurons and reduced their efficacies in the drug-induced loss of righting reflex in mice. To identify the potential role of regional/cell-type specific Shisa7 expression in regulating GABAAR psychopharmacology, we will use the activity-dependent genetic labeling to explore and characterize neurons activated by GABAAR-targeting drugs in the brain. Briefly, the immediate early gene cFos will be selected as a marker for recently activated neurons to help identify neurons in the specific brain region that are positive to both Shisa7 and cFos expressions after exposure to the drug.

To recording the dynamic expression of the cFos-positive neurons, we will need the calcium imaging system to record the real-time neuronal activity. Meanwhile, the calcium imaging system can provide the real-time related evidence to show the precise interaction of neuronal activity and specific animal behaviors. Thus, the lab is need of an imaging system to criticize animal experiments and can increase the credit of the project for the publishing purpose.

3. Generic Name of Product: Calcium Imaging Miniature Microscope System

4. Salient characteristics:

The NINDS requires one calcium imaging system for rodents. A platform for visualization of large-scale neural circuit dynamics in numerous anatomical brain regions. Each system shall include a miniature microscope, data acquisition box, acquisition software, and processing software. The system shall incorporate light-weight microscopes (~2 g), implantable gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses, flexible cabling, and sophisticated mathematical algorithms (e.g., constrained non-negative matrix factorization). The system shall provide neuroscientists the capability to stream live, high-definition videos of large-scale neural activity in awake, naturally-behaving mice. Every single Inscopix nVista 3.0 miniature microscope goes through a thorough calibration process to ensure consistent optical properties. The data acquisition box consists of a 2 TB hard drive to locally record video files to avoid dropped frames and has a series of digital inputs and outputs to provide seamless integration with behavioral experiments. In addition to the base hardware, Inscopix has an arsenal of accessories that no other company in the market can provide such as the Inscopix Commutator and Ready-to-Image (RTI) viruses that have been optimized for several brain regions. This system will also need to work together with our EEG recording system in the lab. Finally, a support team from Inscopix (Field Scientific Consultant (FSC) team) will help train lab personnel to use the system over the years without receiving the payment from NIH.

Quantity Product

Code Brand-Name Item Description / Salient Characteristics

1 1000- 004323 nVista 3.0 Imaging System for In Vivo Research

Imaging and for Rodents:

Shall be able to stabilize and streamline the lens implant procedure. System shall Include a lens holding device, stereotax rod, screw, adjustment tool, and instructions. Should work together with an existing EGG recording setup in the lab. Must provide free training for the lab over the years

1 1000- 004377

Application Module

Application Module:

Shall include 5 baseplate covers and 1 dummy scope.

1 1050- 002915

ProView practice probes Practice probes (Pack of 5)

1 1000- 002897

Inscopix Care (1-year subscription)

1-year Warranty shall include:

Free repairs and/or replacements for ANY hardware damage, whether caused by user, animal, or unknown

- Complimentary overnight shipping to and from the contractor’s facility.

5. Warranty: The contractor shall certify that its products/services are free from defects in material and workmanship and will substantially conform to applicable published specifications for a period of 1 year from the date of delivery to the Government. The Government will notify the contractor promptly in writing upon discovery of any defect in the Products/Services. The contractor shall exclusive remedy for Products/Services that fail to conform to this warranty and repair or replace such nonconforming Products/Services. With mutual agreement between the Government and the Contractor, non-conforming equipment shall be returned in accordance with the Contractor’s Return Materials Authorization (RMA) policies. The Government understands that products/services or parts that have been subject to abuse, misuse, accident, alteration, neglect, unauthorized repair or installation are not covered by warranty.

6. Training:

Off-site training must take place within one (1) year of equipment delivery. Training shall be for one (1) individual over a two (2) day period for duration of at least eight (8) hours per day. Training shall take place between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday excluding federal holidays. Training shall be conducted by qualified Ph.D. Level scientist(s). The training shall consist of live animal and experimental demonstrations.

Contractor shall provide unlimited access to on-line training materials (videos, guides, user manual, etc.) technical and scientific support services from Ph.D. level scientists via e-mail, telephone or video conference (e.g. Skype).

7. Quantity: 1 system

8. Delivery Date:

The contractor shall deliver and install the equipment within 8 weeks after receipt of order.

Delivery must be FOB destination and include inside delivery. The equipment shall be delivered and installed between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00 pm, Bethesda, MD local prevailing time. The contractor shall provide an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified service technician to perform setup, installation, and an on-site 2-day training session for 10 staff members.

9. Period of Performance:

Each system from Inscopix Inc. comes with 3 separate software licenses that have a duration for as long as the end user intends to use the system with no need of license renewals. Each system comes standard with 1 year of a manufacturer's warranty that covers any damage that might have occurred during manufacturing or any potential issues that may have occurred during optical calibrations. Inscopix Care (iCare) is an additional warranty service that can be purchased that is Inscopix Inc.’s “no questions asked” warranty program to cover any damage that may occur from the end user or experimental subject.

This service does not monitor the machine or provide periodic maintenance but rather covers damage that is not covered under the standard manufacturer’s warranty.

10. Delivery Requirements:

The Contractor shall deliver and install the required equipment in coordination with Government officials. Delivery must be FOB Destination and must include inside installation.

The equipment shall be delivered and installed between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Bethesda, MD local prevailing time, Monday through Friday.

This system will be delivered to newly renovated space in building 35. Coordination of delivery will be performed with the Government at the time the equipment is ready to be shipped.