COBRE Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF)
Core Director: Dr. Manuel Díaz-Ríos
Confocal Microscopy Coordinator: Dr. Carlos Baez
Electrophysiology Specialist: Dr. Hector Marrero
Imaging Specialist: Mr. Bismarck Madera
The COBRE Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF) provides state-of-the-art instrumentation and support to Center for Neuroplasticity investigators and the larger UPR biomedical research community. For the past 20 years, the University of Puerto Rico, has strengthened research quality in an effort to facilitate a transition toward competitive scientific research projects. The NIEF contributes to this effort by establishing a facility equipped core with modern imaging and electrophysiology instrumentation, This facility is driven by the increasing importance that imaging and electrophysiology data has gained in the field neuroplasticity. The first step (Specific Aim 1) will be to update and upgrade the Institute of Neurobiology NeuroImaging Facility to create the NIEF. The NIEF will provide users the capability to study neuroplasticity by taking advantage of the state of the art instrumentation. The second step (Specific Aim 2) will be to integrate imaging and electrophysiological applications. Of key importance will be to provide the NIEF the sensitivity to detect fluorescence emissions from diverse biological preparations while performing confocal microscopy and/or two photon microscopy and to enable electrophysiological measurements to be performed simultaneously. Recent research provides an example of the power of coupling patch clamp electrophysiology techniques with ratiometric calcium imaging. In addition, the equipment to be purchased will allow users to perform fluorescence emission studies and real-time live imaging experiments. The third step (Specific Aim 3) in the creation of the NIEF will be to increase the equipment flexibility and detection sensitivity for fluorescence-based applications. Of key importance to this aim will be the introduction of complex multi-labeling experiments using emission fingerprinting and automatic tuning of two photon lasers. Fulfillment of these objectives enable the COBRE NIEF to provide training opportunities for students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty in imaging techniques for the study of biological preparations. The NIEF is a completely self-sustained neuroimaging research facility and a role model for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
The COBRE Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility is affiliated with the UPR Confocal Imaging Facility: