Quantitative PCR instrument to support plant cell and molecular biology research

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This proposal requests funds to purchase an analytical system for quantitative real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Instruments of this type are essential in functional cell and molecular biology for gene expression studies. For such studies, qRT-PCR facilitates facile, sensitive, rapid, highly specific, and quantitative assays of DNA quantity in a biological sample. This instrument will support the work of 10 NSERC supported research groups who share common labs in physically adjacent spaces. These research groups will primarily use the instrument for gene expression analysis using quantitative reverse transcription PCR assays (qPCR) to support a number of individual and collaborative research programs in plant cell and molecular biology and biochemistry. Real-time based qPCR gene expression assays are central and key types of analyses fundamental to many aspects of the research carried out these labs will be used by a large cohort of HQP trainees in all 10 labs. Specific applications of this instrument will be to obtain expression profiles of key genes associated with diverse processes in cell wall biosynthesis, biosynthesis of plant waxes and oils, the cell biology of the plant cytoskeleton, and studies on the productivity of marine algae. Although Access to an instrument for qPCR is essential all 10 co-applicant labs, we currently we rely on a single heavily used instrument purchased nearly 5 years ago, which is now impossible to service. Due to the heavy use of this instrument, its risk of failure, capacity limitations, we urgently require a second, new instrument that will both relieve pressure on the current instrument, and provide a back up to support these research programs and HQP training over the next 5 years. The instrument will also be made freely available to other users.