MRI/RUI: Acquisition of a Digital Imaging System to Support Research and Research Training in Applications of Molecular Biology

获得一套数字成像系统以支持分子生物学应用的研究和研究培训一项拨款已授予德克萨斯州农工大学科corpus Christi分校（TAMU-CC）的Kirk Cammarata博士及其同事，以获得一套数字成像系统，用于对多种基于DNA和蛋白质的研究技术产生的多色荧光、放射性和化学发光数据进行灵敏检测。成像包包括蓝色、绿色和红色荧光激发能力、带通发射滤波器、10微米分辨率光学器件和微阵列载玻片支架、存储荧光粉磁带和荧光粉图像擦除器以及数据分析软件。该仪器将支持关于墨西哥湾沿岸环境健康的分子生物学研究。该研究将探索水生生物对环境污染物（如内分泌干扰物和有毒重金属）的反应机制，以及如何使用基于DNA和蛋白质的分子技术来监测环境影响。墨西哥湾沿岸拥有多种用途，包括渔业、野生动物、工业和娱乐。但它也是一个敏感的环境污染物收集点，这些污染物来自大约三分之二的美国大陆。了解水生生物如何对污染物作出反应，并结合分子分析方法来测量这些反应，将有助于了解因果关系，从而支持基于风险的环境评估和监管。成像系统促进的研究将支持监管机构就污染的环境影响做出理性的、基于事实的决策。此外，TAMU-CC的科学技术学院的部分使命是增加少数民族对科学的参与。南德克萨斯州拉美裔服务机构（HSI）的研究培训和教学需求将得到加强，因为仪器将使该地区以前无法开展的研究项目成为可能。

Acquisition of a Digital Imaging System to Support Research and Research Training in Applications of Molecular BiologyA grant has been awarded to Dr. Kirk Cammarata and colleagues at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) to acquire a digital imaging system for sensitive detection of multicolor fluorescence, radioactivity and chemiluminescence data generated by a variety of DNA- and protein-based research techniques. The imaging package includes blue, green and red fluorescence excitation capabilities, bandpass emission filters, 10 um-resolution optics and microarray slide holder, storage phosphor cassettes and phosphor image eraser, and data analysis software. The instrumentation will support molecular biological studies on the health of the Gulf of Mexico coastal environment. The research will explore the mechanisms by which aquatic organisms respond to environmental contaminants such as endocrine disruptors and toxic heavy metals, and how DNA- and protein-based molecular techniques can be used to monitor environmental impacts. The Gulf coast hosts a diversity of uses including fisheries, wildlife, industry and recreation. But it is also a sensitive collection point for environmental contaminants originating from approximately two-thirds of the continental United States. Knowledge of how aquatic organisms respond to pollutants, in conjunction with molecular assay methods to measure these responses, will result in a cause and effect understanding that may support risk-based environmental assessment and regulation. The research facilitated by the imaging system will support the empowerment of regulatory agencies to make rational, fact-based decisions regarding environmental impacts of pollution. Moreover, the mission of the College of Science and Technology at TAMU-CC is, in part, to increase minority participation in the sciences. The research training and teaching needs of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in South Texas will be enhanced because the instrumentation will enable research projects not previously possible in the region.