Ultracentrifugation system for purification of synthetic biology constructs

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Ultracentrifuges are vital pieces of laboratory infrastructure that enable purification and isolation of cellular components based on minute differences in their density. Many of the labs in the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) routinely use ultracentrifugation to concentrate and purify nucleic acids, proteins, subcellular components, and viruses. In particular, our labs use ultracentrifugation in purifying gene delivery vehicles, such as plasmids and lentivirus, for mammalian transgenesis of synthetic genetic devices. The recent increase in the number of research labs with genetic engineering and synthetic biology expertise in the SBME has resulted in our need for ultracentrifugation outstripping the capabilities of our existing ultracentrifuge setup. Further, the existing unit is nearing the end of its life and we will be left with no alternative when it fails. Accordingly, we have an urgent need for a new ultracentrifuge to avoid significant and unnecessary delays to our work and degradation of the quality of our research. The requested ultracentrifuge will meet the growing needs of our research groups and the SBME, while providing an opportunity for our HQP to learn how to operate a vital piece of equipment. Since all within SBME will have access to it, this ultracentrifuge will support the research and training of many HQP: approximately 43 HQP have plans to use this ultracentrifuge, including 17 HQP in the labs of the applicants. In addition to numerous other applications, ultracentrifugation is a key step in modern mammalian transgenics, providing our HQP with the opportunity to develop skills in demand for future careers in industry and research. With the growing biotechnology sector in Canada, and gene and cell therapies in particular, the ability to concentrate and purify cellular components is a critical skill for HQP.