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（公法111-5）资助的。肯恩大学已经从美国国家科学基金会获得资金，用于购买设备，以建立一个核心的多用户DNA测序设施，称为分子生态学和生物系统学实验室（MEBL）。仪器包括：(1)一台应用生物系统公司的四毛管AB3130基因分析仪，配有Sequencher 4.2软件工作站；(2) BioRad DNA Engine Peltier Thermal Cycler + chromo4 Real-Time PCR检测系统；(3) Eppendorf冷冻微离心机（型号5417R）；(4) Eppendorf Mastercyler热梯度循环器（型号E5331000 045）；(5) Fisher Scientific等温超低温冷冻机（型号13-990-32）；(6) Perkin Elmer LAMBDA 950分光光度计，具有UV/VIS/NIR功能；(7) Percival Scientific P-99步入式植物生长室，配备先进的Intellius控制器和H-12相对湿度控制选项。该设备将被教师和本科生用于以DNA序列信息使用为中心的研究。该研究将解决与分子生态学和生物系统学相关的广泛问题：(1)植物相关的微真菌，(2)海洋大型藻类，(3)花青科被子植物和(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，特别是对从事科学职业感兴趣的性别和种族代表性不足的个人。肯恩大学非常适合这项工作，因为它专注于本科教育，拥有高度多样化和非传统的学生群体，而且它靠近新泽西州北部领先的制药和生物技术产业。除了在大学内建立生物、化学和计算机科学系之间的跨学科联系外，MEBL还将成为招募和随后就业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，以及开发一套专门关注DNA序列信息获取和分析的新课程。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，并通过学生和教师在区域或国家会议上的报告传播。

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.