"Q-PCR system, small volume UV-VIS spectrophotometer and transilluminator for molecular and chemical analyses of food, biomaterials, water and microorganisms"

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We are requesting funding to purchase equipment that enables us to (a) analyse small quantities of nucleic acids, proteins, antibiotics, cells, lipids and their oxidation products (small volume UV-VIS spectrophotometer), (b) use quantitative nucleic acid based measurements of gene expression and microbial presence (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction [Q-PCR] system) and (c) visualise, document and manipulate agarose gels containing samples of nucleic acids (transilluminator) for downstream analysis of identity or genetic engineering. Our equipment request forms part of a long term communal plan to build the research capacity in our department. Acquisition of the equipment is essential for our ability to carry out fundamental and applied projects in the area of food safety, microbial source tracking, biomining for novel organisms of industrial interest, development of nutraceuticals and processes for production of value-added biochemicals. Examples, of equipment uses include analyses of gene expression in the foodborne bacterial pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, during food processing, quantification of host-specific faecal indicator bacteria (Bacteroidales) and mitochondrial DNA markers in water samples, oxidative quality of polyunsaturated oils of marine and protist origin, antibiotic (jadomycin) production by the Streptomyces venezuelae bacteria and identity of and gene expression in omega-3-fatty acid producing protists belonging to the Thraustochytrids.