Biodiversity Synthesis Laboratory: A Multi-User Resource Lab at the University of Nebraska State Museum

该合同为购买Auto-Montage数字成像仪器、DNA提取和扩增设备，以及内布拉斯加大学州立博物馆多用户资源实验室用于生物分析的标本多重担保相关设备提供部分支持。该仪器将被许多研究人员用于不同的研究项目，包括：(1)系统遗传学，(2)群体遗传学，(3)系统地理学分析，(4)三维形态计量学分析，以及(5)生物信息学和数字成像。该设备将提供领先的技术和方法，允许对标本进行完整的鉴定，包括数字图像、冷冻组织、干燥组织和DNA序列。与分子分析相关的标本必须有严格的凭单标准，这样才能方便地跟踪、检索和验证凭单的身份。代金券标本构成了可重复性的基础，是科学方法的基石。整个标本凭证将创建一种虚拟协作，其中数据以电子方式合成、吸收、传播和检索，从而加快了生物研究的进行方式。用该设备产生的标本图像和在线资源将加强研究和教育。对虚拟馆藏、数据库和知识的远程在线访问将：(1)促进多研究者和国家/国际合作；(2)赋予发展中国家的科学家和公众权力；(3)加速物种发现和生物多样性研究；(4)通过提供生物多样性管理所需的识别和信息，对学生和公众产生积极影响；(5)允许更有效地利用自然资源。广泛和概念上合理的实验室训练将使学生精通生物学，生物信息学和技术。系统学（生物多样性的研究）是生物学发现和新思想的源泉。该生物多样性综合实验室将推进生物多样性研究，通过加强其在DNA银行和基因组学中的作用，为自然历史博物馆的基础设施做出贡献，并为管理生物资源创建预测框架。结果分析将为预测潜在的入侵物种和生物防治物种以及解决进化和适应性辐射问题奠定基础。

This award provides partial support for the acquisition of Auto-Montage digital imaging instrumentation, DNA extraction and amplification equipment, and equipment associated with multiple vouchering of specimens for biological analyses at a multi-user resource lab at the University of Nebraska State Museum. The instrumentation will be used by a number of investigators for diverse research projects including: (1) phylogenetics, (2) population genetics, (3) phylogeographic analyses, (4) three-dimensional morphometric analyses, and (5) bioinformatics and digital imaging. The equipment will provide leading edge technology and methodology that will allow for complete vouchering of specimens, including digital images, frozen tissues, dried tissues, and DNA sequences. Rigorous vouchering standards for specimens that are associated with molecular analyses are essential so that vouchers can be easily tracked, retrieved, and their identification verified. Voucher specimens form the basis for repeatability, a cornerstone of the scientific method. Whole specimen vouchering will create a virtual collaboration where data are synthesized, assimilated, disseminated, and retrieved electronically, thus expediting the manner in which biological research is conducted.Specimen images and on-line resources that are produced with this equipment will enhance research and education. Remote on-line access to virtual collections, databases, and knowledge will: (1) facilitate multi-investigator and national/international collaborations, (2) empower scientists and the general public in developing nations, (3) accelerate species discovery and biodiversity research, (4) positively impact students and the general public by providing identifications and information necessary for biodiversity management, and (5) allow more efficient utilization of natural resources. Broad and conceptually sound training within the laboratory will allow students to be proficient in biology, bioinformatics, and technology. Systematics (the study of biodiversity) is a source of discoveries and new ideas in biology. This Biodiversity Synthesis Laboratory will advance biodiversity research, contribute to the infrastructure of the natural history museum by enhancing its role in DNA banking and genomics, and create predictive frameworks for managing biological resources. Resulting analyses will create the foundation for predicting potential invasive species and biocontrol species and for addressing evolution and adaptive radiation.