High-Capacity and Temperature-Controlled Shaker Incubators

卡尔加里大学的植物生物学研究在加拿大和国外都有着悠久的卓越历史和影响。目前的研究主要集中在(I)苄基异喹啉生物碱的生物合成，如镇痛剂吗啡和可待因，以及止咳和抗癌药物诺斯汀，(Ii)探索调节植物繁殖过程中亲和授粉的细胞信号机制，阐明亲和和不亲和途径之间的复杂相互作用，(Iii)植物细胞中基因表达的转录后调控，目的是了解氨基酸生物合成途径的调节，基因的小RNA调节涉及氮同化和储存，以及(Iv)针对天然橡胶和其他化合物的替代生产系统的植物萜类代谢的生物化学。这些研究项目严重依赖微生物的生长来部署先进的分子生物学技术和开发新的代谢物工程系统。目前，生物科学系长期缺乏变温摇床孵化器。这四名申请者负责监督活跃的研究小组，每天对所需设备的需求很高。Thermo Science MaxQ 8000孵化堆叠式振动器被设计为在地板上堆叠三层，并具有在该配置下以最高速度运行的耐用性。这三个独立的单元提供灵活的摇床速度和培养温度，以满足四个高度活跃的植物生物学实验室中高素质人员的不同需求。立即提供设备对于维持对至少六名博士后研究员、十几名研究生和几名本科生项目学生的高水平培训至关重要。最先进的设备也将支持成功地为所有四名申请者获得未来的研究资金。

Plant biology research at the University of Calgary has a long history of excellence and impact both in Canada and abroad. Current research is focused on (i) the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, such as the analgesics morphine and codeine, and the cough suppressant and anticancer drug noscapine, (ii) exploring the cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate compatible pollination events during plant reproduction and elucidating the complex interplay between compatibility and incompatibility pathways, (iii) the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plant cells aimed at understanding the regulation of amino acid biosynthetic pathways, and the small RNA regulation of genes involves in nitrogen assimilation and storage, and (iv) the biochemistry of plant terpenoid metabolism targeting alternative production systems for natural rubber and other compounds. These research programs rely heavily on the growth of microorganisms to deploy advanced molecular biology technologies and develop novel metabolite engineering systems. Currently, there is a chronic shortage of variable-temperature shaker incubators in the Department of Biological Sciences. The four applicants oversee active research groups with a high, daily demand for the requested equipment. The Thermo Scientific MaxQ 8000 Incubated Stackable Shakers are designed to be stacked three high on the floor, and have the durability to run at top speed in that configuration. The three separate units provide flexible shaker speeds and incubation temperatures to meet the variable demands of highly qualified personnel in four highly active plant biology laboratories. Immediate availability of the equipment is essential to maintain a high level of training to at least six postdoctoral fellows, more than a dozen graduate students, and several undergraduate project students. The state-of-the-art equipment will also support the success in obtaining future research funding for all four applicants.