Acquisition of Instrumentation for an Automated DNA Sequencing Facility

该奖项将支持在威斯康星大学建立DNA序列分析的共同核心设施。这一设施的主要组成部分是一种最先进的仪器，用于确定任何生物体的DNA或RNA遗传物质中的核苷酸碱基序列。参与的教员参与了一系列与生物多样性和生物技术相关的研究项目。主要项目包括：昆虫和哺乳动物痘病毒基因组的测序和突变分析；蓝藻和绿藻光合作用途径相关基因的分析；以及绘制寄生虫和真菌的进化史。这些项目将识别无数新的基因，并极大地扩大对基因组组织的理解。预计新的序列将增加我们对进化关系的理解，以及生物技术中新产品的开发，如改良的植物工厂。以下设备将成为新核心的一部分：一个Li-COR 4200S-2基因读出红外DNA测序系统，一台MJ Research PTC-0200DNA发动机热循环仪，以及两台用于DNA分析的G4/450 Power Macintosh计算机。共享设施的目的是促进教育和研究的融合。测序操作的集中化将加强一些研究小组之间的现有互动，并将对吸引新的教职员工和学生攻读科学学位至关重要。它将促进与社区内其他机构的合作。除了个别研究项目外，几名教员还将利用这一仪器开发实验室练习，通过将基因组学培训纳入生物技术实验室课程、系统生物学课程和免疫学/病毒学综合实验室课程等课程，为本科生和硕士学生提供培训。

This award will support the creation of a common core facility for DNA sequence analysis at the University of Wisconsin. The main component of this facility is a state of the art instrument for determining the sequences of the nucleotide bases in the DNA or RNA genetic material for any organism. The participating faculty are involved in a broad range of research projects related to biodiversity and biotechnology. The main projects include: sequencing and mutational analysis of insect and mammalian poxvirus genomes; analysis of genes involved in the photosynthetic pathways of cyanobacteria and green algae; and charting the evolutionary history of parasites and fungi. These projects will identify countless new genes and greatly expand the understanding of genome organization. It is anticipated that the new sequences will inc rease our understanding of evolutionary relationships, and the development of new products in biotechnology such as improved plant factories. The following equipment will become part of the new core: a LI-COR 4200S-2 Gene ReadIR DNA sequencing system, a MJ Research PTC-0200 DNA engine thermocycler, and two G4/450 Power Macintosh computers for DNA analysis. The shared facility is aimed to foster the integration of education and research. The centralization of sequencing operations will enhance existing interactions among a number of research groups and will be vital in attracting new faculty and students to pursue degrees in the sciences. It will promote collaborations with other institutions within the community. Aside from individual research programs, several faculty members will develop laboratory exercises using this instrumentation to provide training for undergraduate and M.S. students by incorporating genomics training into such courses as the Biotechnology laboratory course, a Systematic Biology course, and the Combined Immunology/Virology laboratory course.