MRI: Acquisition of a real time PCR instrument for a core facility supporting diverse research projects

授予纽约昆斯伯勒社区学院一项合同，购买一套实时聚合酶链反应系统，用于分析基因表达和蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用。 QCC服务于第一代大学生的多元化人口，并承认许多学生谁否则将无法获得高等教育。 PCR系统的收购将补充生物技术核心设施，包括流式细胞仪，共聚焦显微镜和组织培养能力。 该设施支持生物科学和地质学系内的教职员工进行研究，其中许多人包括学生在他们的研究项目中。 核心设施中的仪器允许教师向在STEM中代表性不足的学生介绍领先的实验方法，并帮助他们准备进入STEM劳动力队伍。 此外，新获得的PCR仪器将被用作QCC生物技术课程和其他生物学课程教育培训的一个组成部分，从而影响更多的学生。收购qPCR系统将为各种不同的项目提供支持。这些研究包括（a）细胞-细胞相互作用中STAT 3的分子调控，（B）C.线虫，（c）废水处理厂中的微生物群落，（d）导致基因沉默的表观遗传变化，（e）寄生虫-宿主细胞相互作用，（f）刺胞动物行为的分子调控，（g）天蓝色链霉菌中的菱形蛋白酶和（h）拟南芥再生中的细胞命运。 使用qPCR工具生成的数据将在同行评审期刊、专业科学会议以及区域和国家本科生研究会议上传播。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to the City University of New York, Queensborough Community College (QCC), to purchase a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system for the analysis of gene expression and protein-protein interactions. QCC serves a diverse population of first-generation college students and admits many students who would otherwise not have access to higher education. The acquisition of the PCR system will complement a Biotechnology core facility that includes a flow cytometry machine, a confocal microscope and tissue culture capability. This facility supports research by faculty members within the Department of Biological Sciences and Geology, many of whom include students in their research projects. The instrumentation in the core facility allows faculty to introduce students who are underrepresented in STEM to leading-edge experimental methodologies and helps prepare them to enter the STEM workforce. Furthermore, the newly acquired PCR instrument will be used as an integral part of the educational training in the Biotechnology program and other program in Biology at QCC, thus impacting even more students. A variety of diverse projects will be supported by the acquisition of the qPCR system. These include studies of (a) the molecular regulation of STAT3 in cell-cell interactions, (b) miRNA regulation of gene expression in C. elegans, (c) microbial communities in wastewater treatment plants, (d) epigenetic changes leading to gene silencing, (e) parasite-host cell interactions, (f) the molecular regulation of cnidarian behaviors, (g) rhomboid proteases in Streptomyces coelicolor and (h) cell fate in Arabidopsis regeneration. Data generated using the qPCR instrument will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at professional scientific conferences and at regional and national research conferences for undergraduates.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.