RUI: Acquisition of a Capillary Electrophoresis System for DNA Analysis in Investigations of Adaptation, Speciation, Species Interactions and DNA Repair

用于DNA分析的jacobson自动毛细管电泳系统需要相对较少的训练，并且涉及最小的暴露于放射性或有毒物质的风险。所要求的仪器的自动DNA测序和片段大小（用于分析DNA多态性）功能将使调查更高效，更便宜，更有效的学习工具。这是整合本科生研究和教育的机构目标的核心。生物系8个教员中的4个将定期使用该仪器来探索跨越学科广度的研究问题。仪器使用的直接目标是：探索与物种形成的本质有关的问题；开发线粒体DNA标记物，适用于黄花球瘿虫宿主小种和亚种的系统地理和种群分析；并生成基于DNA序列的所有现存夏威夷绦虫类群的系统发育。-研究植物育种系统、生命史和形态相关进化的原因；特别是利用DNA多态性来解决克拉克氏菌群体之间的关系，并寻找与数量性状表达相关的标记。-进一步阐明不动杆菌DNA损伤时DNA修复的分子基础；特别是对这个过程中涉及的关键基因进行测序。-探讨有关地下真菌群落结构的问题；特别是利用DNA多态性来量化全球沙漠大型真菌种群内部和种群之间的遗传变异；继续正在进行的关于鼹鼠种群间变异的时空分布的研究；探讨与黑栎有关的外生菌根真菌群落的空间分布。遗传分析将用于回答反映研究者各自学科的问题，即微生物学、有机生物学、生态学和进化。预期研究的一个重要目标是为学生提供真实的体验，使他们能够理解DNA技术的原理和应用。所要求的仪器的自动测序和分级功能还将有助于将涉及DNA测序和多位点指纹识别的练习纳入格林内尔学院正在开发的高级课程中，该课程是NSF ccli资助的新生物学课程的一部分。

Abstract JacobsonAutomated capillary electrophoresis system for the analysis of DNA demands relatively little training to use and involves minimum risk of exposure to radioactive or toxic substances. The automated DNA sequencing and fragment sizing (for analysis of DNA polymorphisms) capabilities of the requested instrument will make investigations more efficient, less expensive and more effective learning tools for students. This is central to the institutional goal of integrating research and education of undergraduatesFour of the eight faculty in the Biology Department will use the instrument on a regular basis to explore research questions that span the breadth of the discipline. The immediate goals for instrument use are:- to explore questions relating to the nature of speciation; specifically to develop mitochondrial DNA markers suitable for phylogeographic and population analyses of host races and subspecies of the goldenrod ball-gallmaker; and to generate a DNA sequence-based phylogeny of all extant taxa of Hawaiian tephritid flies.- to examine the causes of correlated evolution in plant breeding systems, life history and morphology; specifically to use DNA polymorphisms to resolve relationships among populations of Clarkia xantiana, and search for markers that correlate with quantitative trait expression.- to further elucidate the molecular basis of DNA repair in response to DNA damage in Acinetobacter; specifically to sequence critical genes involved in this process.- to explore questions relating to community structure of subterranean fungi; specifically to use DNA polymorphisms to quantify genetic variation within and between global populations of desert macrofungi; to continue an ongoing study of the spatial and temporal distribution of variation amongst morel populations; and to explore the spatial distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities associated with bur oak.Genetic analyses will be used to answer questions that reflect the respective disciplines of the investigators, namely microbiology, organismal biology, ecology and evolution. An important goal of the anticipated research will be to provide students with authentic experiences that allow them to understand both principles and applications of DNA techniques. The automated sequencing and sizing capabilities of the requested instrument will also facilitate inclusion of exercises involving DNA sequencing and multilocus fingerprinting in upper-level courses currently being developed as part of a new NSF CCLI-funded biology curriculum at Grinnell College.