Acquisition of a Phosphor Imaging Analysis Work Station

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The major research instrumentation being requested is a phosphor imaging and analysis work station which will make possible quantitative autoradiography of many biochemical and molecular biological determinations. In recent years, the advancement in gel separation methods and sequencing technology has given us the ability to resolve differences down to the singlenucleotide and single-amino acid level. At the same time, increasingly clever molecular biological manipulations are enabling us to address ever detailed aspects of the mechanism of many fundamental life processes. To achieve the most rigorous answers, it is not sufficient to only pinpoint qualitative differences, but also to support the detected differences with careful quantitative measurements. The phosphor imaging technology, which has emerged in the past decade, is enhancing our ability to achieve quantitation of molecular differences with great accuracy, speed, safety, and extraordinary sensitivity. When joined with the data storage and data analysis capability of computers, we have a powerful combination that is revolutionizing the way quantitative molecular sciences are being done these days and will be done for the decades to come. The type of research activities to be conducted initially with the phosphor imaging unit will include quantitative determination of in vitro transcription reactions, Southern blot hybridization analysis, DNA sequence analysis, and DNA footprinting studies. The quantitative aspect of these studies is crucial in reaching the most rigorous interpretation of the data and conclusions. In terms of research training, the availability of such a unit will encourage quantitative thinking and reintroduce much of the needed vigor into many molecular biological investigations. The ease of usage of a phosphor image with its impressive speed, capacity, sensitivity, and image manipulability will become evident quickly. Although the work of three major users will benefit from th e phosphor imaging system initially, we fully expect other researchers in nearby institutions to take advantage of this versatile piece of equipment. Furthermore, as Mount Holyoke College is an undergraduate institution devoted to training young women scientists, we also expect to develop laboratory-teaching exercise units that will incorporate the use of this state-of-the-art instrumentation.