A Multimode Plate Reader System for Discovery and Innovation in Life Sciences Research

不列颠哥伦比亚省北方大学（UNBC）拥有一个充满活力和创新的研究社区，包括我们在唐纳德·里克斯博士北方健康科学中心（NHSC）的四名主要研究人员组成的多元化小组。申请的设备是Synergy Neo 2多模式酶标仪，配有过滤器、双试剂进样器系统和其功能所需的计算机。该仪器将取代我们目前使用了12年的多板阅读器，该阅读器正在失效，并将被安置在NHSC的开放空间实验室中。除了我们的四个主要研究小组使用外，该设备还将供UNBC的其他研究人员在各自的研究项目中使用，以及供BC北方的当地公司和行业使用。该仪器及其配件将支持我们的NSERC Discovery研究计划的持续成功，并允许进一步开发创新的分子和细胞技术，以发现生物系统中蛋白质，脂质和核酸的新功能，以及揭开细胞如何改变其特性和功能的奥秘。 我们多样化的发现为基础的研究计划包括自然科学的以下领域：在哺乳动物系统中的mRNA衰变和RNA结合蛋白的机械功能的酶学，前mRNA剪接机制，参与中枢神经系统细胞分化的分子相互作用，以及能量代谢的内分泌调节的基础生物学机制。我们的联合研究小组，包括至少30名高素质的人员在任何一个时间，采用分子技术，其中往往涉及定量和监测的生物分子在细胞，组织和整个动物除了研究生物分子的相互作用。这些方法都需要每天使用所需的仪器。该设备将支持不仅研究计划，而且我们的当前和未来的本科生和研究生的论文项目的大量。预计所要求的系统将在未来5年内直接支持至少100名HQP。获得所要求的仪器将使我们能够开发创新方法，进一步推进我们对生命科学各自研究领域的科学贡献。

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has a vibrant and innovative research community, including our diverse group of four Principal Investigators in the Dr. Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre (NHSC). The equipment requested is a Synergy Neo2 Multimode Plate Reader with filters, dual reagent injector system and a computer required for its functionality. This instrument will replace our current 12-year-old multiplate reader that is failing and will be housed in open-space laboratories in the NHSC. In addition to use by our four major research groups, the equipment will be available for use by other researchers at UNBC in their respective research programs, as well as to local companies and industries in northern BC. This instrument and its accessories will support the continued success of our NSERC Discovery research programs and allow further development of innovative molecular and cellular techniques to discover novel functions of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids in biological systems, as well as unravelling the mystery of how cells change their characteristics and function. Our diverse discovery-based research programs encompass the following fields of natural sciences: enzymology of mRNA decay and mechanistic function of RNA-binding proteins in mammalian systems, pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms, molecular interactions involved in cell differentiation in the central nervous system, and foundational biological mechanisms of the endocrine regulation of energy metabolism. Our combined research groups, comprising at least 30 highly qualified personnel at any one time, employ molecular techniques which often involve quantification and monitoring of biomolecules in cells, in tissues and in whole animals in addition to studying biomolecular interactions. These methods all require the use of the requested instrument on a daily basis. The equipment will support not only the research programs, but also a large number of thesis projects of our current and future undergraduate and graduate students. It is expected that the requested system will directly support at least 100 HQP over the next 5 years. Acquisition of the requested instrument will allow us to develop innovative methods to further advance our scientific contributions to each of our respective research fields in life sciences.