DNA genetic analyzer for molecular ecology/biology applications

该提案的目的是获得DNA遗传分析仪（AB 3500），这将代表我们在舍布鲁克大学的分子生态学/生物学设施的核心。桑格测序是进行DNA片段分析和实现我们的研究目标的一种急需的方法。近年来，我们的研究项目在范围和生产力方面都有了很大的扩展，导致需要进行基因分析的研究人员数量显著增加。我们目前有一台AB 3130xl急需更换，因为它是在10多年前购买的，而且它的使用寿命即将结束，这意味着不再包括在保修范围内的部件的维修成本增加了。此外，从2011年开始停产的现有设备将在今年年底不再得到制造商的支持。因此，在重大故障之前更换这些设备是至关重要的，这将对我们的团队研究活动造成灾难性的影响：缺乏日常现场访问此类设备将削弱我们完成各自研究计划关键步骤的能力。收购赛默飞世尔销售的AB 3500系列基因分析仪将解决这一问题，因为它是基于毛细管电泳分析领域的顶级设备，并且公司提供了良好的维护和服务计划。该基础设施将为至少8名教员、他们的研究团队以及他们的合作者提供基因分型和分子测序应用。这台设备可以满足我们几年的分析能力需求。所要求的设备还将允许我们的实验室继续招聘和培训本科生研究助理，研究生和博士后研究员，以开展我们的研究项目。在未来5年内，将为至少50名HQP提供使用该设备的实践培训。这种培训将提高他们在私营和公共部门获得高质量工作的机会。综上所述，所要求的DNA遗传分析仪是我们研究小组必不可少的设备，近年来我们的研究小组不断扩大。我们的研究完全依赖于获得这些设备，以保持在国际水平上的生产力和竞争力。

The objective of this proposal is to obtain a DNA genetic analyzer (AB 3500) that will represent the core of our molecular ecology/biology facility at Université de Sherbrooke. Sanger sequencing is a critically needed method to perform DNA fragment analysis and achieve our research objectives. Our research programs have substantially expanded in scope and productivity in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in the number of researchers needing to conduct genetic analyses. We currently have an AB 3130xl that critically needs to be replaced as it was acquired more than 10 years ago and it is reaching its end-of-life utility, which means increased repair costs for parts that are not covered by a warranty anymore. Also, the current equipment, which is discontinued since 2011, will no longer be supported by the manufacturer at the end of this year. It is thus vital to replace this equipment before a major breakdown, which would be catastrophic for our team research activities: the lack of daily, on-site access to such equipment will undermine our capacity to fulfil key steps in our respective research programs. The acquisition of the AB 3500 Series Genetic Analyzer, sold by Thermo Fisher, will solve this problem, as it is a top equipment in the field of capillary-electrophoresis-based analyses and as the company offers great maintenance and servicing plans. The infrastructure will support genotyping and sequencing molecular applications for at least eight Faculty members, their research teams as well as their collaborators. This equipment will satisfy our needs for analytical capacities for several years. The requested equipment will also allow our laboratories to maintain the recruitment and training of undergraduate research assistants, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to work on our research programs. At least 50 HQP will be provided with hands-on training using this equipment over the next 5 years. Such training will improve their chances of obtaining a job of high quality in both private and public sectors. In summary, the requested DNA genetic analyzer is an essential equipment for our research group, which has been expanding over recent years. Our research is completely dependent on the acquisition of this equipment to remain productive and competitive at the international level.