MRI: Acquisition of Instrumentation for a Molecular Ecology and Biosystematics Laboratory

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(Public Law 111-5)获得的。基恩大学已获得美国国家科学基金会的资助，用于购买设备，以建立一个名为分子生态学和生物系统学实验室(MEBL)的核心、多用户DNA测序设施。仪器包括：(1)应用生物系统，四毛细管AB3130遗传分析仪，配有Sequencher 4.2软件工作站；(2)BioRad DNA引擎Peltier热循环仪+Chromo-4实时PCR检测系统；(3)Eppendorf冷冻微型离心机(5417R型)；(4)Eppendorf Mastercyler热梯度循环仪(E5331000 045型)；(5)Fisher Science Isotemp超低温冰柜(13-990-32型)；(6)Perkin Elmer Lambda 950光谱仪，具有/UV/VIS/NIR能力；和(7)Percival Science P-99步入式植物生长室，配有先进的Intellius控制器和H-12相对湿度控制选项。该设备将供教职员工和本科生用于以使用DNA序列信息为中心的研究。这项研究将解决与分子生态学和生物系统学有关的广泛问题：(1)植物相关的微型真菌，(2)海洋大型藻类，(3)黑色素性被子植物和(4)城市生态系统中的膜翅目昆虫。这些工具将用于本科生培训，特别是对科学事业感兴趣的性别和种族代表性不足的人。基恩大学非常适合这项工作，因为它专注于本科教育，学生群体高度多样化和非传统，而且靠近新泽西州北部领先的制药和生物技术行业。除了在大学内的生物、化学和计算机科学系之间建立跨学科联系外，MEBL还将成为招募和随后雇用代表性不足的学生群体进入生命科学的催化剂。此外，MEBL将作为加强现有课程的基础，以及开发一套专门侧重于获取和分析DNA序列信息的新课程。使用新的分子生态学设备进行的研究结果将发表在同行评议的期刊上，并通过学生和教职员工在地区或国家会议上的陈述进行传播。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Kean University has been awarded funds from the NSF to acquire equipment that will establish a core, multi-user DNA sequencing facility called Molecular Ecology and Biosystematics Laboratory (MEBL). The instrumentation includes: (1) an Applied Biosystems, four-capillary AB3130 Genetic Analyzer, with Sequencher 4.2 software workstation; (2) BioRad DNA Engine Peltier Thermal Cycler + Chromo-4 Real-Time PCR Detection System; (3) Eppendorf Refrigerated Microcentrifuge (Model 5417R); (4) Eppendorf Mastercyler Thermal Gradient Cycler (Model E5331000 045); (5) Fisher Scientific Isotemp Ultralow-Temperature Freezer (Model 13-990-32); (6) Perkin Elmer LAMBDA 950 Spectrophotometer w/ UV/VIS/NIR capabilities; and (7) Percival Scientific P-99 Walk-in Plant Growth Chamber with Advanced Intellius Controller and H-12 Relative Humidity Control Option. The equipment will be used by faculty and undergraduate students in research centered on the use of DNA sequence information. The research will address a broad range of questions related to the molecular ecology and biosystematics of: (1) plant-associated microfungi, (2) marine macroalgae, (3) melanthiaceous angiosperms and (4) hymenopteran insects in urban ecosystems. The instruments will be used for undergraduate student training, especially gender and ethnically underrepresented individuals who are interested in a career in the sciences. Kean University is ideally suited for this effort because of its focus on undergraduate education and its highly diverse and non-traditional student body, and because of its proximity to leading pharmaceutical and biotech industries in northern New Jersey. The MEBL will serve as a catalyst for the recruitment and subsequent employment of underrepresented student groups into the life sciences, in addition to forging cross-disciplinary ties between Biology, Chemistry and Computer Science Departments within the University. Additionally, the MEBL will serve as a foundation for the strengthening of pre-existing curricula, as well as the development of a set of new curricula specifically focused on the acquisition and analysis of DNA sequence information. Results from studies conducted with the new molecular ecology equipment will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through student and faculty presentations at regional or national meetings.