Biology Laboratory Equipment to Support Undergraduates' Studies of the Health Problems in Black Americans

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Laboratory exercises for various courses are being developed to illustrate underlying biological principles related to major health problems in Black Americans. These activities include electrophoresis of normal and sickle cell hemoglobin, fluorescent antibody demonstration of proteins associated with Graves disease and sickle cell patients, cardiovascular system activities related to hypertension in Black Americans, and biochemical tests to illustrate diabetes, lactose intolerance, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Four student stations for electrophoresis experiments, biochemical studies and microscopic work are being set up. In addition, two analytical balances, two pH meters, two variable speed centrifuges, one inverted phase microscope, one fluorescent phase video microscope for class demonstration, and one transfer hood are being installed. Capabilities for the hypertension studies already are available. The project motivates all students, especially minorities, to maintain their efforts in pursuing a biomedically-related career. In addition, the laboratory activities developed will be made available as a laboratory manual for other institutions. The grantee institution is matching the NSF award with an equal sum obtained from non-Federal sources.