Thermal cycler and nanodrop spectrophotometer

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Genetically manipulated mice and quantitative real time polymerize chain (qRT-PCR) reaction analyses of the expression of the mRNA are important research tools and techniques for physiology research. These tools are critical for understanding the physiological processes at the molecular level. While these techniques and tools have been used for some time in biochemistry, biology and medicine, they are now being used in nutrition and kinesiology studies. Modern equipment to support these activities such as thermal cyclers and spectrophotometers are essential to support research activities, but also to enable hands-on training for undergraduate students. The amount of genetic and molecular based research as dramatically increased in Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo largely as the result of the growth of new research programs. This has resulted in the addition of two genetically modified mouse colonies with two more colonies being developed. Maintenance of these colonies requires diligent genotyping. In addition efforts to determine the impact of nutrition and exercise at the molecular level require extensive examinations of gene expression that includes the use of qRT-PCR). Both genotyping and qRT-PCR require high capacity thermal cycling and spectrophotometry. The use of these techniques in research programs in the field also creates a need and rationale for introducing related training at the undergraduate level. The present equipment request will support the programs of three NSERC funded researchers and enable the undergraduate training in important molecular biology techniques.