Acquisition of Molecular Biology Instrumentation for a Biotechnology Research Center Between Departments of Biology and Chemistry at Southern Oregon University

南俄勒冈州大学的斯通博士获得了一笔赠款，用于购买建立跨部门生物技术中心的主要仪器。 设备包括遗传分析仪（自动DNA测序仪）、超速离心机、高压灭菌器、色谱柜、水过滤系统、真空离心浓缩器、孵育振荡器、微量离心机、循环浴、孵育器、通风橱和安全罩。 生物和化学系的教师将开发一个生物技术中心，以创造一个支持性的工作环境，而不需要重复的设备。 该中心将提供使用分子方法进行各种研究活动所需的设备和用品，提供功能性工作台空间，并作为从事共享方法学的各种项目的教师和学生之间进行互动的论坛。研究将对一系列生物体进行，包括细菌，高等植物，无脊椎动物和脊椎动物。 研究培训将扩大到教师和学生谁可以更新或扩大他们的技能，在分子技术。 将被调查的领域从生物化学，发育生物学，环境微生物学到分子系统学，保护遗传学，种群生物学和分子进化。 具体研究项目包括：a.识别和监察本地溪流的细菌含量，以及确定可能的污染源。B.利用DNA测序研究美国貂的进化，以及在加利福尼亚州发现的一种罕见的貂亚种的分类地位。鉴定与暴露的黄铁矿矿脉相关的细菌和参与黄铁矿酸排出的其他细菌。D.开发生产大量芋螺毒素的廉价、可靠的方法，芋螺毒素由于其生物化学性质而成为未来药物的可能模型。研究豌豆发育过程中特定基因的作用。研究花器官的进化发展。研究高山冷杉和冷杉变种的遗传学。Shasta可能代表了加州红冷杉和高贵冷杉的杂交种。在含有高浓度重金属如镍、镉和铬的蛇形土壤上研究植物和微生物物种的多样性。表征白色橡树上常见的菌根网络的结构和功能。南俄勒冈州大学是一所小型的非博士学位。授予教师主要从事教学的大学。 作为一所专注于高质量本科教育的小型学院，师生比例相对较高（1：18），他们的学生有机会以通常只提供给研究生的方式由教师单独指导。 这对那些希望探索实验室研究的学生来说是一个很大的优势。 所有学生都有机会做研究，大部分研究都是作为高级顶点项目进行的。 此外，越来越多的学生被生物技术领域工作的前景和生物技术为医学提供的新领域所吸引。 这个生物技术中心将为学生提供获得工业技术职位或通过参加研究生或医学院进一步教育所需的可销售技能。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Stone at Southern Oregon University to purchase major instrumentation for the establishment of an interdepartmental biotechnology center. Equipment includes a genetic analyzer (automated DNA sequencer), superspeed centrifuge, autoclave, chromatography cabinet, water filtration system, vacufuge concentrator, incubated shaker, microfuge, circulating baths, incubator, fume hood, and safety hood. Faculty in the biology and chemistry departments will develop a biotechnology center to create a supportive work environment without need for duplication of equipment. This center will house equipment and supplies needed for diverse research activities using molecular methods, provide functional bench space, and serve as a forum for interaction between faculty and students working on diverse projects that share common methodology.Research will be conducted on a range of organisms including bacteria, higher plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Research training will be extended to faculty and students who may update or expand their skills in molecular techniques. The areas that will be investigated span from biochemistry, developmental biology, and environmental microbiology to molecular systematics, conservation genetics, population biology, and molecular evolution. Specific research projects include:a. identifying and monitoring bacterial levels in local streams and determining possible pollution sources. b. studying the evolution of American martens using DNA sequencing and the taxonomic status of a rare subspecies of martens found in California.c. identifying bacteria associated with an exposed vein of pyrite and other bacteria involved in acid drainage from pyrite. d. developing an inexpensive, reliable method of producing high volumes of conotoxins, which are possible models for future pharmaceuticals due to their biochemical properties.e. investigating the roles of specific genes in the development of garden peas.f. investigating the evolutionary development of floral components.g. studying the genetics of variants of noble firs and firs found on Mt. Shasta which may represent hybrids between California red firs and noble firs.examining diversity of plant and microbial species on serpentine soils which have high concentrations of heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, and chromium.characterizing the structure and function of common mycorrhizal networks on white oak.Southern Oregon University is a small, non-Ph.D. granting university whose faculty is primarily engaged in teaching. As a small college focused on quality undergraduate education with a relatively high faculty to student ratio (1:18), their students have the opportunity to be mentored individually by faculty in a way that is usually only available to graduate students. This represents a great advantage to those students who wish to explore laboratory research. All students have the opportunity to do research, and much of this research is carried out as senior capstone projects. In addition, increasing numbers of students are attracted to the prospect of jobs in biotechnology fields and the new frontiers biotechnology makes available to medicine. This biotechnology center will provide students with saleable skills needed to attain tech-level positions in industry or to further their education by attending graduate or medical school.