Gene induction analyses

在病毒感染期间，由许多免疫细胞组成的复杂网络的免疫系统需要发出正确的信号来消灭外来病原体。这些信息就是我们所说的细胞因子，主要是细胞蛋白。这些细胞因子与免疫系统的细胞相互作用，促进身体对感染的反应。一个受控的细胞因子的产生表明一个健康的免疫反应，应该解决感染。另一方面，如果细胞因子产生的水平非常高，它们可能导致组织损伤，由于过度活跃的免疫反应。相反，细胞因子的低产生可能意味着免疫抑制，并可能与无法及时清除感染有关。细胞因子由免疫细胞释放到血液循环中，可以通过不同的方法来测量。测量这些细胞因子诱导的常用方法是采用一种称为聚合酶链反应（PCR）的技术。这项技术允许检测细胞因子基因激活。这是一项复杂但非常可靠的技术，需要我们实验室目前需要的专门设备。为了实现这一点，我们需要在4°C下获得样品制备所需的微型离心机。我们还需要双快速反应热循环器，这将允许在两个不同的设置下同时执行更多的测试和优化我们的反应。因此，我们所要求的设备将促进培训和学员的研究进步。特别是，它将改善我们目前的团队由一个博士后研究员，一个硕士研究生，两个博士研究生和一个本科生。

During virus infections, the immune system with its complex network composed of many immune cells need to signal the right messages to eradicate the foreign pathogen. These messages are what we refer to as cytokines, which are mainly cellular proteins. These cytokines interact with cells of the immune system to facilitate the body's response to infection. A controlled cytokine production is indicative of a healthy immune response that should resolve the infection. On the other hand if the cytokines are produced at very high levels, they could lead to tissue damage due to an over active immune response. Conversely, a low production of the cytokines would imply immunosuppression and may be associated with the inability to clear the infection in a timely manner. Cytokines are released by immune cells into the circulation and can be measured by different means. A common approach to measure the induction of these cytokines is to employ a technique known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This technique allows for the detection of cytokine gene activation. This is a complex but very reliable technique that necessitates specialized equipments that we currently need in our laboratory. To accomplish this, we need to acquire a Microcentrifuge needed for sample preparation at 4°C. We also require Dual Fast Reaction Thermal Cycler which will allow to perform more tests and optimize our reactions at two different settings simultaneously. Thus, the equipments we are asking for will enhance the training and progress of the trainees' research. In particular, it will improve the training of our current team comprised of a post-doc researcher, a master student, two PhD graduate students and one undergraduate student.