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

为南俄勒冈大学生物系和化学系之间的生物技术研究中心购置分子生物学仪器

• 批准号: 0115892
• 负责人: Karen Stone
• 金额: $ 15.72万
• 依托单位: Southern Oregon University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2001
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2001-09-01 至 2004-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0115892&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Acquisition; Molecular; Biology; Instrumentation; Biotechnology

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.

南俄勒冈大学的斯通博士获得了一笔赠款，用于购买建立一个跨部门生物技术中心所需的主要仪器。设备包括遗传分析仪(自动DNA测序仪)、超高速离心机、高压灭菌器、色谱柜、水过滤系统、真空浓缩器、孵化摇床、微离聚器、循环浴缸、孵化器、通风罩和安全罩。生物和化学系的教职员工将开发一个生物技术中心，以创造一个支持性的工作环境，而不需要重复设备。该中心将容纳使用分子方法进行各种研究活动所需的设备和用品，提供功能工作台空间，并作为教职员工和从事共享共同方法的不同项目的学生之间互动的论坛。将对包括细菌、高等植物、无脊椎动物和脊椎动物在内的一系列生物进行研究。研究培训将扩展到可能更新或扩展其分子技术技能的教职员工和学生。将研究的领域从生物化学、发育生物学和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。具体的研究项目包括：a.确定和监测当地溪流中的细菌水平，并确定可能的污染源。用DNA测序和加利福尼亚发现的一种稀有的貂亚种的分类地位来研究美洲貂的进化。确定与暴露的黄铁矿矿脉有关的细菌以及与黄铁矿酸液排放有关的其他细菌。开发一种廉价、可靠的方法来生产大量的芋螺毒素，由于其生物化学特性，这是未来药物的可能模型。研究特定基因在园艺农民发育中的作用。研究花卉成分的进化发展。研究山上发现的高贵冷杉和冷杉变种的遗传学。沙斯塔可能代表了加州红杉和高贵冷杉的杂交。研究了蛇纹石土壤上植物和微生物物种的多样性，这些土壤中重金属含量较高，如镍、镉和铬。描述了白橡树上常见菌根网络的结构和功能。南俄勒冈大学是一所小型的非博士授予大学，其教员主要从事教学。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有研究生才能获得的方式，由教职员工单独指导。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，而且大部分研究都是作为高级顶峰项目进行的。此外，越来越多的学生被生物技术领域的工作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在工业中获得技术水平职位或通过进入研究生或医学院继续深造所需的实用技能。