Fluorescence Spectroscopy in the Biochemistry Laboratory

阿尔玛学院生物化学系的一个主要目标是提供设备齐全的设施来教授本科生生物化学和分子遗传学的现代技术。本项目的目标是将荧光光谱作为一种强大的分析工具引入本科生物化学实验室。所要求的仪器提供快速和灵敏的分子事件检测，允许对生物化学领域进行调查，补充现有实验室的方法和仪器，并加强本系提供的课程的讲课部分。生物化学系开设的生物化学入门、高级生物化学和分子遗传学课程将使用荧光分光光度计及其配套设备。我们将研究蛋白质-配体相互作用、酶动力学和蛋白质变性动力学；研究脂质体、活细胞和生物膜的性质；定量：定量测定少量的核酸；探测蛋白质与核酸的相互作用。除了在课堂体验中的作用外，荧光分光光度计还将增加阿尔玛学院为学生提供的学生研究机会。该仪器将显著提高生物化学实验室的体验，并将为学生提供一种目前在本科生物化学实验室中未充分利用的强大技术。

A major goal of the Alma College Biochemistry Department is to provide well equipped facilities to teach undergraduate students modem techniques in biochemistry and molecular genetics. The goal of this project is to introduce fluorescence spectroscopy into the undergraduate biochemistry laboratory as a powerful analytical tool. The requested instrumentation provides rapid and sensitive detection of molecular events allowing investigation into areas of biochemistry that complement current methodology and instrumentation available in the laboratory as well as reinforce the lecture portions of the courses offered in the department. The introductory biochemistry, advanced biochemistry, and molecular genetics courses offered by the biochemistry department will use the fluorescence spectrophotometer and supporting equipment. We will study protein-ligand interactions, enzyme kinetics, and protein denaturation kinetics; to investigate properties of liposomes, living cells, and biological membranes; to quantitate small amounts of nucleic acids; and to probe protein-nucleic acid interactions. In addition to its role in the classroom experience, the fluorescence spectrophotometer will also enhance student research opportunities that Alma College provides its students. The instrumentation will significantly enhance the biochemistry laboratory experience and will provide students with a powerful technique that is underutilized in the undergraduate biochemistry laboratory presently.