Refrigerated microcentrifuge for radioisotope samples in life sciences research

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***We propose to purchase a refrigerated microcentrifuge for the Institute of Parasitology at McGill University. The instrument will be part of a new facility dedicated to radioisotope work for analytical methods and biological applications. It will be located at the Institute of Parasitology for convenient and safe access that will contain the experiments involving radioisotope labeling of various biological samples. It will support several research groups at the Institute of Parasitology who will use radioisotopes for sensitive analytical methods that will require controlled constant temperature. Also, more than 50 graduate student trainees per year in both thesis and non-thesis graduate programs administered by the Institute of Parasitology in the field of biotechnology can benefit from this facility and equipment. Therefore, significant usage is anticipated that will be managed and directed by Dr. R. Salavati. The refrigerated microcentrifuge will be used to process and prepare macromolecules including nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), proteins, and small chemical compounds that are labeled by a radioisotope (i.e., 32 P, 35S, 3H,) for increased sensitivity and subsequent use in a variety of enzymatic and binding assays. The controlled temperature during sample preparation for such assays is essential in maintaining the integrity of macromolecules as well as small chemical compounds to remain fully active. Therefore, the availability of this instrument will be essential to support the research program(s) and significantly facilitate both research abilities and a multidisciplinary training environment.