High-Capacity and Temperature-Controlled Shaker Incubators

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Plant biology research at the University of Calgary has a long history of excellence and impact both in Canada and abroad. Current research is focused on (i) the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, such as the analgesics morphine and codeine, and the cough suppressant and anticancer drug noscapine, (ii) exploring the cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate compatible pollination events during plant reproduction and elucidating the complex interplay between compatibility and incompatibility pathways, (iii) the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plant cells aimed at understanding the regulation of amino acid biosynthetic pathways, and the small RNA regulation of genes involves in nitrogen assimilation and storage, and (iv) the biochemistry of plant terpenoid metabolism targeting alternative production systems for natural rubber and other compounds. These research programs rely heavily on the growth of microorganisms to deploy advanced molecular biology technologies and develop novel metabolite engineering systems. Currently, there is a chronic shortage of variable-temperature shaker incubators in the Department of Biological Sciences. The four applicants oversee active research groups with a high, daily demand for the requested equipment. The Thermo Scientific MaxQ 8000 Incubated Stackable Shakers are designed to be stacked three high on the floor, and have the durability to run at top speed in that configuration. The three separate units provide flexible shaker speeds and incubation temperatures to meet the variable demands of highly qualified personnel in four highly active plant biology laboratories. Immediate availability of the equipment is essential to maintain a high level of training to at least six postdoctoral fellows, more than a dozen graduate students, and several undergraduate project students. The state-of-the-art equipment will also support the success in obtaining future research funding for all four applicants.