Acquisition of an Automated DNA Sequencing and Sample Prep Core Unit for Research and Education

该奖项将资助购买贝克曼库尔特CEQ 2000自动DNA测序和样品准备核心单元。基于完善的DNA测序技术，该系统将显著提高丹佛大学分子生物学本科/研究生研究和教育的生产力和成本效益。将立即受益的具体研究项目包括国家科学基金会资助的研究：内分泌神经肽激素的分子进化、鸟类性染色体和昆虫类固醇发生；濒危物种群体遗传学；利用定点诱变来描述蛋白质的结构特性；毒素代谢酶细胞色素P450超家族的调控及其生态意义。此外，与丹佛动物园的研究人员在保护遗传学方面的合作工作中使用自动测序仪，将进一步研究濒危和受威胁物种的遗传多样性。除了在研究实验室环境中对本科生和研究生进行深入培训外，还将推进广泛的课堂导向教育目标。生物科学系提供的分子生物学理学学士学位和文学学士学位的核心是分子导向的实验课程，这些课程的好处将尤为明显。为高中学生提供的由部门赞助的生物技术课程和促进中学层面动手科学教育的教师培训讲习班也将大大加强。考虑到这些项目针对的是城市和低收入学区的学生，而这些学生传统上在自然科学方面的代表性不足，高中推广工作的好处是不可估量的。简而言之，收购CEQ 2000 DNA测序和样品准备核心单元将为中学，本科和研究生水平的教育提供显着和直接的好处，同时提供一种经济高效的手段，满足由国家科学基金会资助的生物科学系和化学与生物化学系的研究人员日益增长的DNA测序需求。

AWARD ABSTRACT - 9977691 This award will fund the purchase of a Beckman Coulter CEQ 2000Automated DNA Sequencing and Sample Prep Core Unit. Based onwell-established DNA sequencing technology, this system will provide for asignificant increase in the productivity and cost effectiveness ofundergraduate/graduate research and education in molecular biology at theUniversity of Denver. Specific research programs that will benefitimmediately include National Science Foundation-funded studies on: themolecular evolution of endocrine neuropeptide hormones, avian sexchromosomes, and insect steroidogenesis; the population genetics ofendangered species; the use of site-directed mutagenesis to delineate thestructural properties of proteins; and the regulation and ecologicalsignificance of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of toxin-metabolizingenzymes. Additionally, use of the automated sequencer in collaborativework in conservation genetics with researchers from the Denver zoologicalgardens, will further studies of the genetic diversity of endangered andthreatened species. Beyond the in-depth training of undergraduate and graduatestudents in the research laboratory setting, a broad range ofclassroom-oriented educational goals will be advanced. Benefits will beparticularly evident in the molecular-oriented laboratory courses that areat the heart of the new Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degreesin Molecular Biology offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.Department-sponsored biotechnology classes offered to high school studentsand teacher-training workshops that promote hands-on science education atthe secondary school level will also be greatly enhanced. The benefit tohigh school outreach efforts is immeasurable given that these programstarget students in urban and low-income school districts who havetraditionally been underrepresented in the natural sciences. In short, acquisition of the CEQ 2000 DNA Sequencing and SamplePrep Core Unit will provide significant and immediate benefits toeducation at the secondary, undergraduate and graduate levels, whileproviding a cost-efficient means of satisfying the growing DNA sequencingneeds of researchers funded by the National Science Foundation in both theDepartment of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry andBiochemistry.