Award Abstract #0722354
MRI: Acquisition of an EM PACT2 High Pressure Freezer

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 16, 2007
Latest Amendment Date:	July 16, 2007
Award Number:	0722354
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Steven E. Ellis DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2007
Expires:	July 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$299995
Investigator(s):	Paul Webster pwebster@hei.org (Principal Investigator) Marc Baum (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	House Ear Institute 2100 West Third Street Los Angeles, CA 90057 213/483-4431
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9184, 1189
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

An award has been made to the House Ear Institute under the direction of Dr. Paul Webster for the acquisition of a high pressure freezing system that will allow researchers to freeze tissues and cells without the usual deformation of structures that occurs when samples are dried and frozen by more conventional methods. Such careful preservation is needed to study fine details of anatomy of the auditory system, bacterial biofilms, structure in protozoa, and ear development in fish and other vertebrates. The House Ear Institute has partnered with a research organization, the Oak Crest Institute of Sciences, which provides research experiences for high school, and community college students. These programs provide intensive hands-on research experiences for large number of women and minorities otherwise underrepresented in science.

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