Herbert M. Geller wrote: (stuff omitted) > "Pursuant to the NIH Revitalization Act, section 2004, when > purchasing equipment or products under this assistance > award, the recipient should, whenever possible, purchase > only American-made items". > Does this mean that I am restricted to Bio-Rad or Molecular > Dynamics, or can I buy another instrument as long as I > can justify the purchase on the basis of scientific goals? Being a non-American, I will not comment on the NIH regulations (but I have my thoughts :-)), but you are clearly not restricted to a Bio-Rad or Molecular Dynamics CLSM: the _American_ company Noran also sells CLSMs (named Odyssey). Regards, Jos van Maarseveen ---- Dr J.Th.P.W. van Maarseveen Vakgroep Biofysica Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Nijenborgh 4 NL-9747 AG Groningen e-mail: [log in to unmask]