Instructional Equipment to Improve Undergraduate Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratories

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To provide students with experimental knowledge of key aspects of cellular structure and function, this department is adding laboratory exercises to its cellular and molecular biology programs. Laboratory work is being provided for the first time in conjunction with Molecular Genetics; a project in molecular genetics is being added to Micro- biology; improved experiments in cellular biochemistry, respiration, and photosynthesis are being introduced into the Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry laboratories. These laboratory improvements required the new equipment that is being provided through this project. The equipment includes: gel electrophoresis and blotting equipment, a sequencing gel reader, two centrifuges, a refrigerator, a -70*C freezer, water baths, a gel photographic unit, an analytical balance, a table-top autoclave, an orbital platform shaker for gel staining procedures, a microprocessor- controlled UV-visible spectrophotometer, a tissue homogenizer, and oxygen-monitoring systems. With this equipment, students can do investigations in areas previously studied only through lectures and reading. The combination of theoretical and experimental understanding of cellular biology made possible by the new laboratory activities provides preparation essential to their pursuit of advanced degrees and careers in the life sciences. The grantee institution is matching the NSF award with an equal sum obtained from non-Federal sources.