Acquisition of Instrumentation for an Ecological Genomics Laboratory to Support Research and Training

在Shane K. Sarver博士的指导下，布莱克山州立大学（BHSU）获得了一笔赠款，用于建立一个生态基因组学实验室。该实验室将为BHSU的教师和学生在新兴的基因组学领域提供跨学科的研究机会。两项最新进展，实时PCR和DNA微阵列技术正在打破分离生物学子学科（即生理学，生态学，遗传学等）的传统界限，并迫使生物研究采用综合方法。实时荧光定量PCR是一项功能强大的新技术，具有多种应用，从基因分型和基因表达的定量分析，到蛋白质检测和定量。微阵列技术整合了基因和表型之间的关系，并允许研究人员在多种情况下同时检查基因组。实时PCR结合微阵列技术为基因组学整合到其他生物研究领域提供了无与伦比的机会。实时聚合酶链式反应（Real - time PCR）将用于野牛PrP基因型的分型和异质眼的筛选。微阵列将用于检测不同生态条件下阿拉伯植物防御基因的表达。凝胶电泳系统将允许等位基因分化时，内部探针实时PCR不可用，或不切实际；还有一种分光光度计，可以快速简便地测定样品中的核酸浓度、纯度和完整性。新的生态基因组学实验室将用于支持一门名为生态基因组学的新本科课程。布莱克山州立大学主要是EPSCoR州的本科院校。BHSU近75%的生物学专业学生来自科学领域代表性不足的群体。这一比例主要包括女性，但也包括几个非白人族群，其中印第安人所占比例最大。在南达科他州有六个印第安人保留地。在过去的四年里，BHSU的科学系配备了一个分子遗传学实验室，主要使用基因分型和基因测序来支持保护遗传学、分子系统学、分子生态学和基础遗传学研究领域的研究（NSF提案#9977226）。该设施最近被指定为南达科他州西部DNA核心设施（WSDDCF），不仅服务于大学研究需求，还服务于其他公共和私人组织，如南达科他州野生鱼类公园和地区私人牧场主。该设施还为遗传学，细胞生物学，微生物学的本科生以及在分子遗传学各个领域进行独立研究项目的学生提供培训中心。三名新的生物学教员（一名分子遗传学家、一名分子生态学家和一名功能进化生态学家）在过去三年中被聘用，他们的研究受益于WSDDCF的能力。WSDDCF和新的生态基因组学实验室将相互补充，并提供跨学科研究和合作的机会。

A grant has been awarded to Black Hills State University (BHSU) under the direction of Dr. Shane K. Sarver to establish an Ecological Genomics Laboratory. This laboratory will offer cross-disciplinary research opportunities to faculty and students at BHSU in the emerging field of genomics. Two of the most recent advances, real-time PCR and DNA microarray techniques are breaking down the traditional boundaries separating the sub-disciplines in biology (i.e. physiology, ecology, genetics etc.) and compelling an integrated approach in biological research. Real-time PCR is a powerful new technique with a variety of applications, ranging from genotyping and quantitative analysis of gene expression, to protein detection and quantification. Microarray technology integrates the relationship between the gene and the phenotype and allows the researcher to examine groups of genes simultaneously in multiple contexts. Real time PCR combined with microarray techniques provide unparalleled opportunities to integrate genomics into other areas of biological research. Real time PCR will be used to genotype bison PrP genotypes and to screen for heterplasmic walleye. Microarrays will be used to examine expression of plant defense genes in Arabis under different ecological conditions. A gel electrophoresis system will allow differentiation of alleles when internal probes for real-time PCR are not available, or are impractical; and a spectrophotometer that would allow quick and easy determination of nucleic acid concentration, purity and integrity in a sample. The new Ecological Genomics Laboratory will be used to support a new undergraduate course titled Ecological Genomics.Black Hills State University is mainly an undergraduate institution in an EPSCoR state. Nearly 75% of the biology majors at BHSU are from groups that are underrepresented in the sciences. This percentage mainly includes women, but also several non-white ethnic groups of which Native Americans are the greatest proportion. There are six Indian Reservations in the state of South Dakota. Over the past four years the Department of Science at BHSU has equipped a molecular genetics laboratory that supports research in the areas of conservation genetics, molecular systematics, molecular ecology and basic genetic research primarily using genotyping and gene sequencing (NSF proposal #9977226). This facility was recently designated as the Western South Dakota DNA Core Facility (WSDDCF), serving not only university research needs, but also other public and private organizations, such as South Dakota Game Fish & Parks and regional private ranchers. This facility has also served as a training center for undergraduate students in genetics, cell biology, microbiology, and for those students conducting independent research projects in various areas of molecular genetics. Three new biology faculty members (a molecular geneticist, a molecular ecologist and a functional evolutionary ecologist) have been hired in the last three years whose research benefits from the capabilities of the WSDDCF. The WSDDCF and the new Ecological Genomics Laboratory will complement one another and provide opportunities for cross-disciplinary research and collaboration.