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

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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.