MRI Acquisition of Molecular Biology Laboratory Instruments: The Tree of Life Branches out to MSUM

一笔赠款已授予明尼苏达州立大学，穆尔黑德，以扩大和加强合作研究计划，并将教师的研究纳入研究培训课程的本科生。 该奖项的资金将用于购买分子生物学研究所需的两台仪器。 这些仪器，凝胶可视化系统和组织匀浆器，是各种研究项目的组成部分，从阐明最早的陆地植物之间的进化关系，到了解环境对迁徙蜻蜓种群遗传学的影响。 本科生将使用这些分子生物学仪器，因为他们学习分离DNA，收集和分析分子数据，将用于更大的项目。 特别是，仪器将刺激两所大学之间的合作，工作的一部分？生命之树？项目，从而为本科生和他们的导师提供了一个机会，以促进对地球上生命进化的理解。将这些仪器纳入本科科学课程将为更多的学生提供分子研究经验，并最大限度地将教师的研究与科学教育相结合。 将分子技能融入研究课程的重要性怎么强调都不为过，尤其是在DNA不仅被用来辨别进化关系，而且被用来定罪或赦免罪犯的时代。 重要的是，学生将毕业于现实世界的研究经验和技能，这将使他们在全球市场上具有竞争力。

A grant has been awarded to Minnesota State University, Moorhead to expand and strengthen collaborative research programs, and to incorporate faculty research into research training courses for undergraduates. Funds from this award will be used to purchase two instruments necessary for molecular biology research. The instruments, a gel visualization system and tissue homogenizer, are integral to a variety of research projects ranging from elucidation of evolutionary relationships among the very earliest of land plants to understanding environmental impacts on population genetics of migratory dragonflies. Undergraduate students will use these molecular biology instruments as they learn to isolate DNA, and gather and analyze molecular data that will be used in larger projects. In particular, the instrumentation will stimulate a collaboration between two universities working on a segment of the ?tree of life? project and thus, provide undergraduates and their mentors an opportunity to contribute to the understanding of the evolution of life on earth.Incorporation of these instruments into the undergraduate science curriculum will provide more students with molecular research experience and maximize integration of faculty research with science education. The importance of integrating molecular skills into a research-infused curriculum cannot be overstated, especially in an age when DNA is used not only to discern evolutionary relationships but to convict or exonerate criminals. Importantly, students will graduate with real-world research experience and a skill set that will make them competitive in the global marketplace.