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

纽约城市大学昆斯伯勒社区学院(QCC)被授予购买实时聚合酶链式反应(PCR)系统，用于分析基因表达和蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用。QCC为多样化的第一代大学生群体提供服务，并招收许多原本无法接受高等教育的学生。收购聚合酶链式反应系统将补充生物技术公司的核心设施，包括一台流式细胞仪、一台共聚焦显微镜和组织培养能力。这个设施支持生物科学和地质学系教职员工的研究，他们中的许多人在他们的研究项目中包括学生。核心设施中的仪器使教师能够向STEM中代表性不足的学生介绍尖端实验方法，并帮助他们为进入STEM工作做好准备。此外，新购买的PCR仪器将作为昆士兰大学生物技术专业和其他生物学专业教育培训的组成部分，从而影响到更多的学生。购买qPCR系统将支持各种不同的项目。这些研究包括：(A)STAT3在细胞-细胞相互作用中的分子调控，(B)miRNA对线虫基因表达的调控，(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)寄生虫与宿主细胞的相互作用，(F)线虫行为的分子调控，(G)天蓝色链霉菌中的菱形蛋白水解酶和(H)拟南芥再生中的细胞命运。使用qPCR仪器产生的数据将在同行评议的期刊、专业科学会议以及地区和国家本科生研究会议上传播。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.