MRI: Acquisition of a BioMark HD System for single-cell genomics research.

德克萨斯大学圣安东尼奥分校（UTSA）购买了BioMark HD/C1系统（Fluidigm），这是一种多模式仪器，用于高通量单细胞样品制备，实时PCR (qPCR)，终点PCR和数字PCR，可进行基因表达分析（包括单细胞），基因分型和绝对拷贝数测定。该仪器解决了当代生物学研究的一个主要限制，允许在单个细胞水平上进行分子实验，这可能在一个群体中有所不同。通过允许单细胞分析，该仪器可以进行新的实验，否则基本上不可能进行。BioMark HD/C1系统将高通量纳米流体与定量PCR相结合，可在短短几小时内测量数百个单个细胞或样品中数百个基因或基因序列变异的表达。研究人员Brian Hermann， Rena Bizios， J. Aaron Cassill， Garry Sunter和来自UTSA和圣安东尼奥附近两个学院（科学，工程）的多个部门（生物学，化学，生物医学工程）的同事将利用这一独特的仪器来研究广泛主题领域的基本生物学问题，包括生殖细胞生物学，神经生物学，细胞生物物理学，植物病毒宿主防御，植物食草动物防御和昆虫嗅觉。这一工具将作为UTSA和圣安东尼奥地区研究和研究培训的核心资源。通过主要研究仪器项目收购UTSA的BioMark HD/C1系统将为各级科学家和学生（高中，本科生和研究生）提供研究和培训的尖端科学仪器。该仪器将改善UTSA的研究环境，并为培养学生和博士后提供机会，使他们成为富有成效的研究人员。由于UTSA是指定的为西班牙裔服务的机构，这个奖项将扩大代表人数不足的群体在各级的参与。事实上，生物标记HD/C1系统将在UTSA的几个教育项目中被学生使用，这些项目专门设计用于吸引和留住来自代表性不足群体的学生从事科学研究，并提高他们追求研究事业的兴趣。该仪器将为受训者提供使用尖端技术的相关经验，这将激发他们对研究的兴趣，并最大限度地提高他们在学术和工业科学领域的职业销路。使用BioMark HD/C1仪器的培训也将与现有的教学和推广计划相结合，以一种将培训与现实世界的实验和发现相结合的方式促进高科技仪器的使用。

An award is made to The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to purchase the BioMark HD/C1 System (Fluidigm), a multi-mode instrument for high-throughput single-cell sample preparation, real-time PCR (qPCR), end-point PCR, and digital PCR that enables gene expression analyses (including on single cells), genotyping and absolute copy number determination. This instrument addresses a major limitation of contemporary biological research by permitting molecular experiments at the level of individual cells, which may differ within a population. By permitting single-cell analyses, this instrument enables novel experiments that would otherwise be essentially impossible to pursue. The BioMark HD/C1 system combines high-throughput nanofluidics with quantitative PCR to measure the expression of hundreds of genes or gene sequence variations in hundreds of individual cells or samples in just a few hours. Investigators Brian Hermann, Rena Bizios, J. Aaron Cassill, Garry Sunter and colleagues from multiple departments (Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering) within two colleges (Sciences, Engineering) at UTSA and around San Antonio will utilize this unique instrument to investigate basic biological questions in broad topic areas including germ cell biology, neurobiology, cellular biophysics, plant virus host defense, plant herbivore defense, and insect olfaction. This instrument will be established as a core resource for research and research training at UTSA and the San Antonio area.Acquisition of the BioMark HD/C1 System at UTSA through the Major Research Instrumentation program will provide scientists and students at all levels (high-school, undergraduate and graduate students) with access to a cutting-edge scientific instrument for research and training. This instrumentation will enhance the research environment at UTSA and provide opportunities for training students and postdoctoral fellows to become productive researchers. Since UTSA is a designated Hispanic-serving institution, this award will broaden participation of underrepresented groups at all levels. Indeed, the BioMark HD/C1 system will be utilized by students in several educational programs at UTSA that are specifically designed to attract and retain students from underrepresented groups to scientific research and promote their interest in pursuing research careers. This instrument will provide trainees with relevant experience using cutting edge technology, which will pique their interest in research and maximize their marketability for careers in academic and industrial science. Training in the use of the BioMark HD/C1 instrument will also be integrated with existing teaching and outreach programs to promote use of high-tech instrumentation in a manner that integrates training with real-world experimentation and discovery.