MRI/RUI: Acquisition of DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Instrumentation for Research and Undergraduate Training at Middlebury College

为研究和本科生培训购置DNA测序和基因分型仪器。在迪克博士的指导下，米德尔伯里学院获得了一笔赠款，通过购买相关仪器在学院建立一个DNA测序和基因分型设施。DNA测序用于确定DNA中“字母”的序列，并通过其在人类基因组计划中的应用而闻名。DNA基因分型可以明确地识别遗传上不同的个体，众所周知的应用包括法医工作中使用的DNA指纹，以及确定亲子关系。这些工具现在是生物学所有学科的基础。例如，DNA序列被用于各种研究，从识别与人类疾病有关的基因，到了解艾滋病毒的传播，再到重建地球上生命的历史。明德学院的DNA测序/基因分型设施将加强教师的研究，培养新的研究方向，并有助于吸引顶尖的教师和学生到学院。此外，它将激发本科生的兴趣，并增加分子生物学及其在生物学科中的应用的培训。迪克博士和其他三名生物学教师将作为高级人员参与该项目，他们将利用测序/基因分型仪器来解决各种研究问题。迪克博士将对一种广泛分布的海洋生物（称为苔藓虫）的DNA进行测序，以重建它们的进化关系，这种关系目前还知之甚少。海伦·杨博士将使用基因分型来研究鸟类与昆虫传粉者对开花植物种群之间遗传物质交换的影响。Vickie Backus博士将使用基因分型来了解新英格兰森林中蚂蚁的多样生活史策略。约书亚·卡瓦勒博士将在果蝇感觉器官发育的基因调控研究中对DNA进行测序。此外，几个教师将合作设计和实施一个新的本科生培训课程，生态学和进化的分子方法。本课程将提供学生在生态学和进化的知识，他们需要利用分子技术在他们的研究。它还将为学生提供他们在传统课程中不会遇到的分子遗传学培训。因此，该课程将促进不同生物学科的学生之间的沟通。这些仪器最初将用于解决生物学中的基本问题，但这些问题具有广泛的意义。例如，苔藓虫是环境质量的重要指标，是一类有效抗癌药物的来源，并且由于其出色的化石记录而对进化研究非常有用。授粉的研究与保护有关，因为它们解决了引入昆虫授粉者（如蜜蜂）对本地植物种群的影响。对森林蚂蚁的研究解决了进化理论中的基本问题。果蝇发育过程中的细胞信号传导利用了与人类相同的分子途径;事实上，我们对人类基因功能的了解大部分来自这些研究。最后，仪器最广泛和最重要的用途将是激发下一代医生和研究人员对生物学的兴趣，并对他们进行当前技术的培训。

Acquisition of DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Instrumentation for Research and Undergraduate Training at Middlebury CollegeMatthew H. Dick, PIAbstract A grant has been awarded to Middlebury College under the direction of Dr. Dick to establish a DNA sequencing and genotyping facility at the college through acquisition of relevant instrumentation. DNA sequencing is used to determine the sequence of 'letters' in DNA, and is best known through its application in the Human Genome Project. DNA genotyping allows unambiguous identification of genetically different individuals, and well-known applications include the DNA fingerprinting used in forensic work, as well as determination of paternity. These tools are now fundamental to all disciplines of biology. DNA sequences are used, for example, in studies ranging from identifying genes implicated in human diseases, to understanding the spread of HIV, to reconstructing the history of life on earth. The DNA sequencing/genotyping facility at Middlebury College will enhance research by the faculty, foster new research directions, and help attract top faculty and students to the college. Furthermore, it will spark undergraduate interest and augment training in molecular biology and its application across biological disciplines. Dr. Dick and three other faculty in biology, who will be involved in the project as senior personnel, will make use of the sequencing/genotyping instrumentation to address diverse research problems. Dr. Dick will sequence DNA from a widespread group of marine organisms called bryozoans in order to reconstruct their evolutionary relationships, which are poorly understood. Dr. Helen Young will use genotyping to examine the effects of bird versus insect pollinators on the exchange of genetic material among flowering plant populations. Dr. Vickie Backus will use genotyping to understand the diverse life history strategies of ants in New England forests. Dr. Joshua Kavaler will sequence DNA in a study of gene regulation in fruit fly sense organ development. In addition, several faculty will collaborate to design and implement a new undergraduate training course, Molecular Methods in Ecology and Evolution. This course will provide students in ecology and evolution the knowledge they need to utilize molecular techniques in their research. It will also give students in molecular genetics training they do not encounter in traditional courses. The course will thus foster communication among students of diverse biological disciplines. The research projects to which the instrumentation will initially be applied address basic problems in biology which, however, have broad significance. Bryozoans, for example, are important as indicators of environmental quality, are a source of one class of potent anti-cancer drugs, and are exceptionally useful for evolutionary studies because of their excellent fossil record. Studies of pollination are relevant to conservation, because they address the impact of introduced insect pollinators such as the honeybee on native plant populations. Studies on forest ants address fundamental problems in evolutionary theory. Cell signaling during fruit fly development makes use of molecular pathways identical to those in humans; indeed, much of what we know of human gene function has derived from such studies. Finally, the broadest and most important use of the instrumentation will be to spark interest in biology in the next generation of physicians and researchers, and train them in current techniques.