Acquisition of Instrumentation to Enhance Genetic and Molecular Biology Laboratories and Undergraduate Research

在过去的十年里，新的分子程序使生物学发生了革命性的变化。这种研究生物系统的革命也要求改变生物科学的教学方式。分子技术的发展已经如此广泛，以至于对未来科学家的培训必须包括这些程序的原理、方法和应用。为了给生物学学生提供最好和最新的经验，教师正在修改课程，以增加学生对分子生物学的接触。本项目资助购买设备包，以扩大大二和高级生物学实习和本科生研究中所涉及的分子主题。该设备提供了对现代分子生物学技术的真实暴露。这种技术最大限度地减少了预先包装的试剂盒的使用，这些试剂盒有助于促进对分子生物学概念的理解，但实验范围有限，对增加学生对DNA技术的理解作用不大。这所大学现在可以扩展现有的分子技术，包括克隆、测序和在群体分析中使用分子标记。除了在结构化的实验室练习中使用外，该设备还可用于为学生提供在DNA分析方面进行独立研究的强大背景。其目的是通过建立一个包括分子和人口遗传学在内的课程来加强该大学已经很强的本科课程。

During the past decade, biology has been revolutionized by new molecular procedures. This revolution in how biological systems are studied also requires changes in how the biological sciences are taught. The development of molecular techniques has been so widespread that the training of future scientists must include the principles, methods, and applications of these procedures. In order to provide biology students with the best and most current experience possible, the faculty are in the process of modifying the curriculum to increase student exposure to molecular biology. This project funds the purchase of equipment packages to expand the molecular topics addressed in sophomore and advanced-level biology practicums and undergraduate research. The equipment provides a realistic exposure to the techniques of modern molecular biology. This technique minimizes the use of prepackaged kits that serve to facilitate an understanding of molecular biological concepts but are limited in experimental scope and do little to increase student understanding of DNA technology. The university can now expand the current repertoire of molecular techniques to include cloning, sequencing, and use of molecular markers in population analysis. In addition to its use in structured laboratory exercises, this equipment can be used to provide students conducting independent research with a strong background in DNA analysis. The intent is to enhance the university's already strong undergraduate program by instituting a program including molecular and population genetics.