Instrumentation for a New Experimental Biochemistry Laboratory Course

该项目涉及本科生使用现代生物分子分析方法进行实验。特别是，正在开发一系列综合实验，以评估已知在特定序列处结合基因组DNA的蛋白质的活性。这些蛋白质对于调节从DNA到RNA再到多肽的信息流至关重要。设备使学生能够花更多的时间思考实验结果和分析数据。 这方面的一个例子是通过凝胶排阻色谱基质、疏水相互作用基质和亲和基质进行色谱分离后测定组分中的蛋白质浓度。 一种非放射性，非酶的序列特异性DNA结合蛋白的活性检测方法正在开发中，可以很容易地在本科教学实验室使用。与Myb癌基因相关的蛋白质组的家族成员特异性结合端粒DNA序列，并且正在构建重组DNA分子，其也将允许表达、纯化和分析其DNA结合活性。本课程旨在帮助学生亲身体验科学探究的兴奋，并将他们的实验与基础生物化学和生物医学研究的当前调查联系起来。

This project involves undergraduate students in experiments using modern methods of analysis of biomolecules. In particular, a series of integrated experiments are being developed that assess the activity of proteins known to bind genomic DNA at specific sequences. These proteins are critical for regulating the information flow from DNA to RNA and on to polypeptides. Equipment enables students to spend more time thinking about the experimental results and analyzing the data. An example of this is the determination of protein concentrations in fractions following chromatographic separations via gel exclusion chromatographic matrices, hydrophobic interaction matrices, and affinity matrices. A method for non-radioactive, non-enzymatic detection of the activity of sequence specific DNA binding proteins is being developed that can readily be used in undergraduate teaching laboratories. A family member of the group of proteins related to the Myb oncogene binds telomeric DNA sequences specifically, and a recombinant DNA molecule are being constructed that will also allow expression, purification and analysis of its DNA binding activities. This course is geared to helping students experience first-hand the excitement of scientific inquiries and to relate their experiments with current investigations in basic biochemical and biomedical research.