Spatio-Temporal Cell Imaging
Level - UndergradThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) is interested in developing a digital database of 4D (3D + time, i.e. space + time) cellular images that would contain both cellular structures and processes. The benefit of having such a database is twofold: it is a great instructional tool and it opens new research possibilities. The existing methods for cell imaging are limited in a number of ways. Typically, they either have a lower spatial resolution or lack the temporal acquisition capability. The NIH has announced the Spatio-Temporal Cell Imaging (STCI) grant. Its aim is to support the development of method for imaging (a new one or a new way to use existing ones) that would have:
- Spatial (3D) resolution sufficient for depicting the smallest possible cellular structures
- Temporal resolution suitable for visualizing as many cellular processes as possible.
The university research group you work for has decided to compete for the funding for this project. Your team is responsible for preparing a preliminary proposal for the STCI grant that propose a method and explain the feasibility of the project. The group has decided to base its approach on electron microscopy.
Your proposal should include a description of the following:
1. Your proposed imaging method and how it will achieve the NIH goals.
2. List of cellular structures and processes imageable by the suggested method
3. An estimate of the spatial resolution
4. An estimate of the temporal resolution
5. Obstacles for further improving the spatio-temporal resolution
6. Your rationale for selecting this method over its competitors