High throughput real-time PCR instrument for studies of host responses to pathogens and cancer

实时聚合酶链反应（PCR）的过程允许鉴定和定量存在于动物和人的组织中或引起疾病的微生物中的基因或基因的转录物。我们试图深入了解致病微生物如何与宿主相互作用，它们可以在宿主中引起什么类型的反应，以及微生物本身可能发生什么类型的变化。重要的是，我们的研究旨在阐明微生物引起疾病的过程，并试图通过开发有效的控制策略来对抗传染病，例如接种疫苗和增强对疾病的遗传抗性。高通量实时PCR仪将允许我们以系统和合理的方式询问与宿主-微生物相互作用相关的几种生物学现象。例如，使用该仪器，我们可以鉴定和量化动物中针对传染病（例如禽流感病毒）的保护的重要免疫学相关性，并使用这些免疫学参数来增强疫苗效力。此外，该仪器的可用性将使我们能够研究宿主对癌症反应的潜在机制。总体而言，购置这些设备将在我们的任务和维护动物和人类健康的主要努力中发挥关键作用。

The process of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows for identification and quantification of genes or transcripts of genes present in tissues of animals and humans or in the microorganisms that cause disease. We seek to gain an in-depth understanding of how disease-causing microbes interact with their hosts, what type of responses they can elicit in their hosts and also what type of changes may occur in the microorganisms themselves. Importantly, our research aims at elucidating the disease causing processes employed by microbes and also to make an attempt to counteract infectious disease through the development of efficacious control strategies, such as vaccination and enhancement of genetic resistance to disease. A high throughput real-time PCR machine will permit us to interrogate several biological phenomena related to host-microbe interactions in a systematic and rational manner. For example, using this instrument we can identify and quantify the important immunological correlates of protection against infectious disease in animals, such as avian influenza virus, and employ these immunological parameters for enhancement of vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, the availability of this instrument will allow us to examine the underlying mechanisms of host responses to cancer. Overall, the acquisition of this equipment will play a critical role in our mandate and main endeavour to maintain health in animal and human populations.