This equipment is vital for the Principle Investigator?s NIH funded research R01 project. The equipment is a microscope, it allows fast live cell image acquisition at high resolution, provides high sensitivity and minimizes photobleaching and phototoxicity.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for performing sponsored research and other sponsored activities under grants and contracts funded by the sponsor or by sources other than State appropriations. (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b)(8)) The PI requested and was awarded supplement funding from NIH to support the purchase of the equipment. Without this equipment, there will be limitation to assess the cells to ensure successful completion of the proposed project.