Real time RT qPCR equipment ( QS5 QPCR System , Thermo Fisher Scientific)

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As a collaborative research team, we are requesting the Q5S qPCR system (quantitative- polymerase chain reaction) to enhance our federally funded research programs aimed at improving drug development, formulations, delivery and therapeutic efficacy. The current equipment in our laboratory is more than 20 years old and needs replacing due to on-going technical issues and incompatibilities with modern reagent mixtures for gene expression studies. It is critical that we replace our current qPCR machine for a new one as this instrument is essential to the experiments underdone in our collaborations. The Q5S qPCR system is versatile as compared to other models marketed by different suppliers and meets the requirements of all the researchers involved in our projects. Our collaborative research programs, which include Drs. Mishra, Hoare, Selvaganapathy, Gupta and Niles, are funded by NSERC, CIHR, CHRP, grants and NSERC's Discovery Grants program. Drs. Hoare and Selvaganapathy are co--applicants on other RTI grants not related to the equipment requested here; therefore, they cannot be listed on this application. Together, we consist of faculty members representing the departments of Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. Our research programs encompass drug development, formulation and delivery, including a nanotechnology platform for intranasal drug delivery targeting central nervous system disorders. The real--time qPCR instrument will be used for the quantification of gene expression for genes that are altered in disease states and regulated by novel drugs and drug formulations we have developed. Experiments measuring gene expression will be performed in cellular, worm and pre-clinical rodent models of various brain disorders. Similar equipment is not available in nearby laboratories at McMaster; therefore, procurement of this instrument is essential for conducting our experiments and the advancement of our federally funded collaborative research programs. The availability of this instrument will significantly advance our innovative research programs and promote the collaboration of experiments with the aim of developing novel drug compounds and improving drug delivery to the brain. This will ultimately result in increased therapeutic efficacies aimed to reach clinical stages for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, our research will significantly contribute to the field's understanding of novel neurotrophic factors and their molecular mechanisms. Acquiring this instrument will immediately benefit all our students through an increase in accessibility and experience using current industry-standard machines. Ultimately, the results obtained from our research programs will significantly benefit Canada and the international community with regards to knowledge translation and dissemination of the availability of new therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders.**