Acquisition of a Fluorescence Imaging System for Research in Biology, Environmental Science and Chemistry at UT Chattanooga

在玛格丽特·科瓦赫博士的指导下，田纳西大学查塔努加分校获得了一笔赠款，用于购置荧光成像系统，该系统将作为生物、环境科学和化学系的重要研究和教学工具。生物、环境科学和化学系有一个强烈的宗旨，让本科生参与研究，自硕士课程开始以来，也包括研究生。所需的仪器是执行分子分析和检测所必需的，可用于广泛的应用，包括基因分型、差异显示、突变检测和法医学。该系统还将与用于分析DNA、RNA和蛋白质样本的各种凝胶、膜、微孔板(ELISA)和基于微阵列的技术兼容。获得这一仪器将支持的基因组学和蛋白质组学、毒理学和生物化学方面的研究项目与五个私人投资机构的实验室和研究兴趣有关。例如，荧光成像系统将通过基因表达谱的比较分析、微生物种群的比较研究、DNA和蛋白质水平的毒理效应研究，以及通过化学诱导突变进行突变检测和分析来支持基因调控的研究。获得这种成像系统将使两个系的学生和教授增加可用于研究的实验程序的数量和种类。此外，共享使用荧光成像系统将加强各部门之间的跨学科课程、课程和研究。与其他任何单一设备相比，荧光成像系统将使UTC能够开发和维持强有力的研究和教学计划，这些计划使用基因组和蛋白质组方法，使分子生物学、微生物学、毒理学和生物化学的当前研究计划受益。

A grant has been awarded to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga under the direction of Dr. Margaret Kovach for the acquisition of a fluorescent imaging system that will be used as an important research and teaching tool for the Departments of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Chemistry. The Departments of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Chemistry have a strong tenet for involving undergraduate students in research and, since the inception of the masters program, graduate students as well.The requested instrumentation is necessary for performing molecular analysis and detection and can be used for a wide range of applications including genotyping, differential display, mutation detection, and forensics. The system will also be compatible with a wide variety of gel, membrane, microplate (ELISA) and microarray-based technologies used for analyzing DNA, RNA and protein samples. The research projects in genomics and proteomics, toxicology and biochemistry that will be supported by access to this instrumentation are associated with the laboratories and research interests of the five P.I.s . For example, the fluorescence imaging system will support studies of gene regulation through comparative analyses of gene expression profiles, the comparative study of microbial populations, the study of toxicological effects at the level of DNA and protein, and mutation detection and analysis by chemically induced mutagenesis.The acquisition of this imaging system will allow students and professors from both departments to increase the number and variety of experimental procedures available to conduct research. In addition, shared access to the fluorescent imaging system will enhance interdisciplinary courses, curricula and research between the departments. More than any other single item of equipment, the fluorescence imaging system will allow UTC to develop and sustain vigorous research and teaching programs that employ genomic and proteomic approaches to benefit current research programs in molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology and biochemistry.