MRI: Acquisition of a Microarray Scanner and Real-Time PCR System for Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching in an Undergraduate College Setting

在玛格丽特·J·科瓦赫的指导下，田纳西大学查塔努加分校获得了一笔赠款，用于购买微阵列扫描仪和实时聚合酶链式反应系统，以加强分子生物学的本科生研究和教学。该仪器将由生物、环境科学和化学系的教职员工和学生使用，以阐明与生物过程相关的基因表达的变化。微阵列分析提供了同时分析数千个基因的表达水平的优势，而实时聚合酶链式反应分析提供了对一小部分基因的表达水平的精确量化。在这项提议中，这些方法将被应用于模型系统，以测量对实验刺激的反应，以更好地了解某些生物过程背后的分子事件。具体地说，这项建议由五名教员开展的13项研究和教学活动组成，这些活动代表了广泛的生物学研究和有机系统，包括：与哺乳动物基因组不稳定和组织分化相关的基因调控机制、植物的生理应激反应、鱼类的肌肉和骨骼发育、具有生物活性的小分子在生化过程中的作用以及土壤微生物在森林和湿地的生物修复和生物地球化学中的活动。这项建议将通过整合先进的基因组和蛋白质应用程序(如微阵列分析和定量实时聚合酶链式反应)来丰富分子生物学、植物生理学、发育生物学、生物化学和微生物学的课程，从而促进教师发展和学生成长。对学生来说至关重要？S教育正在通过现代仪器增加可用于独立研究项目的实验程序的数量和种类。最终，这笔赠款将用于培训年轻科学家，掌握与研究生学习和分子生物学和生物技术就业相关的尖端技术。

A grant has been awarded to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga under the direction of Margaret J. Kovach to acquire a microarray scanner and real-time PCR system to enhance undergraduate research and education in molecular biology. The instrumentation will be used by faculty and students in the departments of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Chemistry to elucidate changes in gene expression associated with biological processes. Microarray analysis offers the advantage of profiling expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously, whereas real-time PCR analysis provides precise quantification of expression levels for a small set of genes. In this proposal, these methods will be applied to model systems to measure responses to experimental stimuli to gain a better understanding of the molecular events behind certain biological processes. Specifically, this proposal is comprised of 13 research and teaching activities by five faculty members that represent a wide range of biological research and organismal systems including: mechanisms of gene regulation associated with genomic instability and tissue differentiation in mammals, physiological stress responses in plants, muscle and bone development in fish, the role of biologically active small molecules on biochemical processes and the activity of soil microbes in bioremediation and biogeochemistry of forests and wetlands. This proposal will enhance faculty development and student growth by enriching course offerings in molecular biology, plant physiology, developmental biology, biochemistry and microbiology through integration of hands-on exposure to advanced genomic and proteomic applications such as microarray analysis and quantitative real-time PCR. Pivotal to the student?s education is increasing the number and variety of experimental procedures available for independent research projects through modern instrumentation. Ultimately, this grant will serve to train young scientists in cutting edge technologies relevant to post-graduate studies and employment in molecular biology and biotechnology.