Molecular Biology Core

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT In Phases I and II, the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Inflammatory Responses (CMPHIR) established and maintained a Research and Technical Advancement Core to fill experimental gaps in the resources available in institutional cores maintained by the UAMS College of Medicine. One of these was a DNA Sequencing Core. However, the capability of this core was limited to single-gene sequencing. While this was an important and necessary service, it was not sufficient, particularly in an era of genomic and next-generation sequencing technology. Thus, the CMPHIR also invested heavily in augmenting the resources available in the existing DNA Sequencing Core. We accomplished this task, and, in Phase III, we propose to integrate these services under the common umbrella of a Molecular Biology Core (Core B) capable of providing CMPHIR and other UAMS investigators with the resources they need, particularly with respect to the pathogen side of the host–pathogen equation. The activities of Core B include enhancing the capability of obtaining high-quality RNA, DNA, and protein samples for analysis; high-throughput single-gene sequencing using conventional Sanger methods; next-generation sequencing of microbial genomes and genomic libraries; protein expression and purification; and antibody production. The proposed Core B will be supported through a combination of CMPHIR funding and continued institutional support. Daily operations will be supervised by Dr. Jon S. Blevins, Director, who will work with 2 full-time technicians. One of these technicians will have primary responsibility for the DNA component of Core B, while the other will have primary responsibility for the protein component. To ensure consistency and promote self-sustainability, Core B instruments will be operated by these technicians on behalf of CMPHIR and UAMS investigators on a fee-for-service basis. This will allow us to recover a significant proportion of the costs and thereby ensure the ability to upgrade and maintain the equipment in this core as needed as we move forward into Phase III and beyond.