MRI: Acquisition of an RT-PCR System for Research in Cell Biology, Physiology, Protein Biochemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry and Anthropology at New Paltz College

这一重大研究仪器奖为购买实时聚合酶链式反应热循环仪系统提供资金。这台设备主要由用于聚合酶链式反应(PCR)的常规热循环仪和荧光检测系统组成。该系统的一种常见应用称为实时聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)，因为荧光可以在样品进行聚合酶链式反应(PCR)扩增时进行监测。将使用RT-PCR系统的实验包括依赖于核酸的PCR扩增的传统分子细胞生物学分析，以及不基于PCR的蛋白质生物化学和超分子合成化学中的相对新的应用。RT-PCR系统将用于通过量化基因表达水平来更好地了解酵母中的细胞分裂；探索与昆虫摄食有关的不同胰岛素样蛋白的基因表达模式；以实验方式记录X射线对考古样本的影响；开发一种用于识别新的核激素受体配体的分析方法，以及促进一系列用作荧光分子传感器的新化学物质的筛选。这份提案中描述的所有项目都将在本科生的帮助下进行。使用新的热循环仪进行的研究结果将通过摘要和同行评议的出版物以及学生和教职员工积极参加专业会议的方式广泛传播。

This Major Research Instrumentation award funds the acquisition of a Real Time PCR thermocycler system. This piece of equipment essentially consists of a conventional thermal cycler used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a fluorescence detection system. A common application for this system is called Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) because fluorescence can be monitored as samples undergo PCR amplification. The experiments that will use the RT-PCR system include the conventional Molecular Cell Biology assays that rely on PCR amplification of nucleic acids, as well as relatively novel applications in protein biochemistry and supramolecular synthetic chemistry that are not PCR-based. The RT-PCR system will be used to better understand cell division in yeast by quantifying gene expression levels; explore gene expression patterns of different insulin-like proteins involved in insect feeding; experimentally document the effect of X-irradiation on archaeological samples; develop an assay to be used to identify novel nuclear hormone receptor ligands, and facilitate screening of a range of novel chemicals designed to serve as fluorescent molecular sensors. All of the projects described in this proposal will be conducted with the assistance of undergraduate students. Results from the studies conducted with the new thermocycler will be broadly disseminated through abstracts and peer reviewed publications, as well as by active participation of students and faculty at professional meetings.