Cutting-edge robotics for microbial high-throughput applications

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This is a request for a state-of-the-art robotic workstation to enable large-scale functional genomic and small-molecule microbial screening studies. Robotics are absolutely essential for a systems-level understanding of microbial processes, providing the ability to rapidly profile large microbial strain collections and chemical libraries. The S&P Robotics BM6 instrument is urgently needed to support three innovative research programs (Cox, Shapiro & Whitfield); the lack of ready access to robotics has severely limited the scope of the applicants' research in this field. To remain nationally and internationally competitive, and to provide the highest level of training to HQP, it is essential that the applicants acquire this equipment. Such access will vastly expand the scope of their research, ensuring HQP can address high-impact and innovative research questions. A common theme of the applicants' research is the systems-level analysis of microbial genetic interactions, functional genomics, and small-molecule screening in bacteria and fungi. Dr. Cox uses high-throughput genomic and chemical approaches to probe complex microbial systems. The requested infrastructure will enable the systems-level investigation of the physiological functions of efflux pumps, chemical-genetic studies, and the rapid profiling of microbial transposon libraries. Dr. Shapiro's research program aims to understand the genetic interaction networks underpinning complex biological phenotypes in fungi. Automation will expand Dr. Shapiro's genetic interaction screens to a genome-wide level, which can only be accomplished with the described automation. Dr. Whitfield's research aims to understand the mechanisms involved in the assembly and export of complex cell surface carbohydrates in bacteria; the instrument is required for high-throughput assays to examine morphological and cell growth parameters in large bacterial deletion libraries, and the systematic generation of pairwise combinations of bacterial gene deletions. Currently, there is a complete lack of capacity for high-throughput microbial studies at the U. of Guelph. Lack of local access to this instrument has significantly impeded the applicants' research and limited training opportunities for HQP who are restricted to significantly lower-throughput methods, which are vulnerable to errors, or commuting to other institutions to access heavily relied upon similar infrastructure. The requested infrastructure will therefore provide a pivotal training opportunity for HQP and this request represents an exciting opportunity to enable and advance cutting-edge high-throughput microbial studies at the U. of Guelph.