Facilities Center Instrumentation for Resource Biotechnology

未来生物技术发展的一个中心焦点将是应用现代分子遗传学、生态学、生物化学、免疫学和计算机科学来开发欠发达国家的资源。成功的发展将需要将这些技术相互关联地应用于农业和减轻饥饿和疾病。引领这些应用的国家将在21世纪的生物技术中脱颖而出。华盛顿大学正在建立一个多学科的资源生物技术中心，该中心将专注于生产这种下一代生物知识。该中心将涉及生物、生物化学、化学、医学和化学工程系的教员以及密苏里州植物园和私营行业的研究人员，从具有积极生物技术研究努力的公司获得技术和资金支持，并利用华盛顿大学的许多现有设施，包括优良发酵、显微镜、蛋白质化学和单抗设备及VAX计算机网络。本申请申请资金，以装备该中心所需的另外两个设施：一个提供受控生长环境的植物生长设施，以及一个提供寡核苷酸合成和自动DNA测序能力的综合DNA化学设施。随着这两个设施的建成，资源生物技术中心将成为美国继续在生物技术领域占据突出地位的强大力量。

A central focus in the future development of biotechnology will be the application of modern molecular genetics, ecology, biochemistry, immunology, and computer science to developing the resources of underdeveloped nations. Successful development will require the interrelated application of these technologies to agriculture and to the alleviation of hunger and disease. The nation that pioneers these applications will emerge preeminent in 21st century biotechnology. Washington University is establishing a multidisciplinary Center for Resource Biotechnology that will concentrate on producing this next generation of biological knowledge. The Center will involve faculty in the Departments of Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Medicine and Chemical Engineering and researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden and in private industry, derive technical and financial support from companies with active biotechnology research endeavors, and use many existing facilities at Washington University, including excellent Fermentation, Microscopy, Protein Chemistry and Monoclonal Antibody Facilities and A VAX Computer Network. This application requests funds to equip two additional facilities required for the Center: a Plant Growth Facility to provide controlled growth environments and an Integrated DNA Chemistry Facility to provide oligonucleotide synthesis and automated DNA sequencing capabilities. With the completion of these two facilities, the Center for Resource Biotechnology will be a strong force for continued U.S. prominence in biotechnology.