Acquisition of a Phosphor Imaging Analysis Work Station

所要求的主要研究仪器是一个荧光粉成像和分析工作站，它将使许多生化和分子生物学测定的定量放射自显影成为可能。近年来，凝胶分离方法和测序技术的进步使我们能够解决单核苷酸和单氨基酸水平的差异。与此同时，越来越聪明的分子生物学操作使我们能够解决许多基本生命过程机制的详细方面。为了获得最严谨的答案，仅仅查明定性差异是不够的，还需要通过仔细的定量测量来支持检测到的差异。近十年来兴起的荧光体成像技术，正在以极高的准确性、速度、安全性和极高的灵敏度增强我们实现分子差异定量的能力。当与计算机的数据存储和数据分析能力结合在一起时，我们就拥有了一个强大的组合，它正在彻底改变定量分子科学的研究方式，并将在未来几十年继续进行。研究活动的类型将首先与荧光粉成像单元进行，包括体外转录反应的定量测定、Southern blot杂交分析、DNA序列分析和DNA足迹研究。这些研究的定量方面对于对数据和结论作出最严格的解释至关重要。在研究训练方面，这种单元的可用性将鼓励定量思考，并为许多分子生物学研究重新引入许多所需的活力。使用荧光粉图像的易用性，其令人印象深刻的速度，容量，灵敏度和图像可操作性将很快变得明显。虽然三个主要用户的工作最初将受益于荧光粉成像系统，但我们完全期望附近机构的其他研究人员利用这种多功能设备。此外，由于芒特霍利奥克学院是一所致力于培养年轻女科学家的本科院校，我们也希望开发实验室教学练习单元，其中将包括使用这种最先进的仪器。

The major research instrumentation being requested is a phosphor imaging and analysis work station which will make possible quantitative autoradiography of many biochemical and molecular biological determinations. In recent years, the advancement in gel separation methods and sequencing technology has given us the ability to resolve differences down to the singlenucleotide and single-amino acid level. At the same time, increasingly clever molecular biological manipulations are enabling us to address ever detailed aspects of the mechanism of many fundamental life processes. To achieve the most rigorous answers, it is not sufficient to only pinpoint qualitative differences, but also to support the detected differences with careful quantitative measurements. The phosphor imaging technology, which has emerged in the past decade, is enhancing our ability to achieve quantitation of molecular differences with great accuracy, speed, safety, and extraordinary sensitivity. When joined with the data storage and data analysis capability of computers, we have a powerful combination that is revolutionizing the way quantitative molecular sciences are being done these days and will be done for the decades to come. The type of research activities to be conducted initially with the phosphor imaging unit will include quantitative determination of in vitro transcription reactions, Southern blot hybridization analysis, DNA sequence analysis, and DNA footprinting studies. The quantitative aspect of these studies is crucial in reaching the most rigorous interpretation of the data and conclusions. In terms of research training, the availability of such a unit will encourage quantitative thinking and reintroduce much of the needed vigor into many molecular biological investigations. The ease of usage of a phosphor image with its impressive speed, capacity, sensitivity, and image manipulability will become evident quickly. Although the work of three major users will benefit from th e phosphor imaging system initially, we fully expect other researchers in nearby institutions to take advantage of this versatile piece of equipment. Furthermore, as Mount Holyoke College is an undergraduate institution devoted to training young women scientists, we also expect to develop laboratory-teaching exercise units that will incorporate the use of this state-of-the-art instrumentation.