Core biochemistry equipment for antimicrobial peptide and nucleic acid aptamer research

卡尔顿大学的战略研究计划包括加强对生物医学和生物科学研究的关注。根据这一计划，化学系积极寻找对化学、生物和医学界面感兴趣的研究人员。最近在生物物理(Anatoli Ianul博士)和生物无机化学(Maria DeRosa博士)化学系招聘人员就证明了这一点。这项建议是为了发展一个核心生物化学设施，以支持卡尔顿大学化学系的这些和其他跨学科研究小组。他说，Ianul博士的研究计划有兴趣发展对抗菌肽的更好的理解。被认为是合成抗生素的潜在替代品。德罗萨博士的研究重点是更好地了解核酸适配子的独特性质，以促进这些生物实体在生物传感器和医学诊断中的使用。这两个研究项目都有可能极大地影响加拿大人的健康和福祉。为了有效地进行这些领域的研究，急需几个关键的标准生物化学设备。这里要求的设备包括：1)实验室净水系统，用于为生物化学分析和实验提供不含DNA酶和RNase的去离子水；2)用于长期储存生物样品的超低温冰柜(-86℃)；3)高压灭菌系统，用于设备和液体介质、缓冲液、4)用于细菌培养的摇床和5)用于克隆和抗菌实验的细菌操作的生物安全柜。4)延迟购买这些设备将限制DeRosa和Ianul实验室执行关键生物化学实验的能力，这些实验将有助于其研究的及时影响。*对这些基本设备的投资将使Ianul和DeRosa实验室能够在化学、生物和医学之间的边界继续他们的研究工作，并将鼓励卡尔顿大学化学系跨学科研究和培训的增长。

The strategic research plan for Carleton University includes an enhanced focus on biomedical and biosciences research.  In keeping with this plan, the chemistry department has actively sought out researchers with interests at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine.  This is evidenced by the recent hires in the chemistry department in biophysical (Dr. Anatoli Ianoul) and bioinorganic (Dr. Maria DeRosa) chemistry.  This proposal is for the development of a core biochemistry facility to support these and other interdisciplinary research groups in the chemistry department at Carleton University.        Dr. Ianoul's research program is interested in developing a better understanding of antimicrobial peptides, considered to be potential alternatives to synthetic antibiotics.  Dr. DeRosa's research is focused on gaining a better insight into the unique properties of nucleic acid aptamers, to facilitate the use of these biological entities in biosensors and medical diagnostics.  Both these research programs have the potential to dramatically impact the health and well-being of Canadians.  In order to effectively pursue these areas of study, several key pieces of standard biochemistry equipment are urgently needed.  The equipment requested here includes: 1) a laboratory water purification system for providing DNase and RNase-free deionized water for biochemistry assays and experiments 2) an ultra-low temperature freezer (-86°C) for long-term storage of biological samples 3) an autoclave system for sterilization of equipment and liquid media, buffers, etc. 4) a shaking incubator for bacterial culture and 5) a biological safety cabinet for manipulations of bacteria for cloning and antimicrobial experiments.  A delay in the purchase of this equipment will restrict the ability of the DeRosa and Ianoul labs to perform the critical biochemistry experiments that will contribute to the timely impact of their research.  An investment in these basic pieces of equipment will enable the Ianoul and DeRosa laboratories to pursue their research endeavours at the boundary between chemistry, biology, and medicine, and will encourage the growth of interdisciplinary research and training in the chemistry department at Carleton University.