MRI: Acquisition of an automated DNA sequencer to enhance faculty-student research in molecular biology at the University of Central Oklahoma

美国国家科学基金会向俄克拉荷马中央大学发放了一笔赠款，用于购买一台自动DNA测序仪。该仪器将为该大学提供一个功能齐全的分子生物学实验室，允许教职员工和学生在他们的母校进行一系列广泛的研究项目。生物系的大部分教师从事分子生物学研究，这些研究将利用测序仪的能力，在病毒/寄生虫-宿主物种共同进化、种群遗传学、系统地理学、分子系统学、分子生态学和基因组进化等领域进行研究。这项研究是对各种生物进行的，包括哺乳动物、鸟类、爬行动物、昆虫、植物和真菌。研究结果将在科学会议上发表，并发表在各种同行评议的期刊上。UCO是一所授予非博士学位、以本科生为主的都市级大学。该大学的长期目标强调变革性学习，包括研究和教学活动的整合，从传统的以讲座为基础的课程过渡到纳入更多的动手研究和基于探究的教育。为了帮助实现这一变革性的学习目标，生物系鼓励学生参与研究活动，特别是在传统课堂之外与教职员工一起进行研究项目。该系目前为近900个本科专业提供服务。

The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to the University of Central Oklahoma for the acquisition of an automated DNA sequencer. This instrument will provide the University with a fully functional molecular biology laboratory, allowing faculty and students to perform a wide array of research projects at their home institution. A large proportion of the Biology Department faculty perform molecular biology research that will leverage the sequencer capabilities for studies in the fields of viral/parasite-host species co-evolution, population genetics, phylogeography, molecular systematics, molecular ecology, and genome evolution. This research is conducted on a diversity of organisms, including mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, plants, and fungi. Results from the research conducted will be presented at scientific meetings and published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals. UCO is a non-Ph.D. granting, predominantly undergraduate, metropolitan university. A long-term goal of the university emphasizes transformative learning, including the integration of research and teaching activities, transitioning from traditional lecture-based courses to the incorporation of more hands-on research and inquiry-based education. To aid in this transformative learning goal, the Department of Biology encourages students to engage in research activities, especially research projects with faculty members outside of the traditional classroom. The department currently serves nearly 900 undergraduate majors.