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

得克萨斯大学圣安东尼奥分校(UTSA)被授予购买BioMark HD/C1系统(Fluidigm)，这是一种用于高通量单细胞样本制备的多模式仪器，实时聚合酶链式反应(QPCR)、终点聚合酶链式反应和数字聚合酶链式反应，使基因表达分析(包括单细胞)、基因分型和绝对拷贝数测定成为可能。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，这在一个群体中可能是不同的。通过允许单细胞分析，这种仪器使原本基本上不可能进行的新颖实验成为可能。BioMark HD/C1系统结合了高通量纳米流体和定量聚合酶链式反应，在短短几个小时内测量了数百个单个细胞或样本中数百个基因的表达或基因序列变异。研究人员Brian Hermann、Rena Bizios、J.Aaron Cassill、Garry Sunter和来自UTSA及圣安东尼奥周围两所学院(理工科)多个系(生物、化学、生物医学工程)的同事将利用这一独特的仪器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。该仪器将作为UTSA和圣安东尼奥地区研究和研究培训的核心资源。通过重大研究仪器计划在UTSA获得BioMark HD/C1系统，将为各级科学家和学生(高中生、本科生和研究生)提供用于研究和培训的尖端科学仪器。这一工具将改善UTSA的研究环境，并为培养学生和博士后研究员成为富有成效的研究人员提供机会。由于UTSA是一家指定的拉美裔服务机构，这一奖项将扩大各级代表性不足群体的参与。事实上，UTSA的几个教育项目的学生将使用BioMark HD/C1系统，这些项目旨在吸引和留住来自代表性不足群体的学生从事科学研究，并促进他们从事研究事业的兴趣。该仪器将为学员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适销性。使用BioMark HD/C1仪器的培训还将与现有的教学和推广计划相结合，以将培训与真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.