Replacement quantitative real-time PCR detection system for studies in parasitology, animal physiology and environmental toxicology

本RTI申请是为了购买一套新的定量实时PCR （qPCR）检测系统，以取代合作科学研究大楼（CSRB）内两台不再能够进行qPCR分析的有缺陷的系统。我们的研究团队中的HQP使用qPCR检测来确定寄生节肢动物中细菌种类的存在和相对丰度（即PI Chilton指导的5名博士生中的4名），以及调节肝脏和鳃代谢反应的基因的相对表达，以及污染暴露和未暴露的鱼之间的大脑神经内分泌信号（即PI Niyogi指导的5名博士生中的3名）。这些研究是我们nserc资助的研究项目的重要组成部分，这些研究项目涉及影响蜱虫和其他寄生节肢动物分布和丰度的生态和进化因素（PI Chilton），以及淡水鱼中微量金属的相互作用（PI Niyogi）。这项工作很重要，因为气候变化和人为活动正在改变环境条件，这些条件日益威胁到天然鱼类种群的健康和生计，并且病原体的节肢动物媒介的地理范围扩大，导致动物疾病的风险增加。鉴于qPCR在生物学领域的广泛适用性，CSRB中至少有六位同事的HQP也需要使用qPCR检测系统进行研究。不幸的是，CSRB中两个老化系统的光学模块存在机械/电气问题，这意味着它们目前无法用于定量PCR。这个问题迫使我们的5名博士生（2名由PI Chilton指导，3名由PI Niyogi指导）在其他建筑使用qPCR检测系统。然而，这不是一个实际的或可持续的长期解决方案，因为由于HQP在其他研究单位对这些系统的高需求，我们的学生使用这些设备的机会有限。这一限制导致了我们学生研究进展的重大时间延迟，并成为他们在NSE领域职业发展的主要障碍。作为基础设施的重要组成部分，获得替代qPCR检测系统将极大地推进两个pi研究团队中的研究生和其他HQP（例如pdf，技术人员和本科生实习生）的研究工作。这也将大大增加获得新的研究经费的机会，提高新生的招募和培训质量，代表不同群体的个人，他们将使用qPCR研究寄生虫学，动物生理学，水生毒理学和生物学其他领域令人兴奋的新问题和重要问题。

This RTI application is for funds to purchase a new quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) detection system to replace two defective systems within the Collaborative Science Research Building (CSRB) that are no longer capable of performing qPCR analyses. HQP in our research teams use qPCR assays to determine the presence and relative abundance of bacterial species in parasitic arthropods (i.e., by 4 of 5 PhD students supervised by PI Chilton), and the relative expression of genes that regulate the metabolic responses in the liver and gills, and neuro-endocrine signalling in the brain between contaminant-exposed and unexposed fish (i.e., by 3 of 5 PhD students supervised by PI Niyogi). These studies represent vital components of our NSERC-funded research programs on the ecological and evolutionary factors influencing the distribution and abundance of ticks and other parasitic arthropods (PI Chilton), and the interactive effects of trace metals in freshwater fish (PI Niyogi). This work is important because climatic change and anthropogenic activities are altering environment conditions which increasingly threaten the health and sustenance of natural fish populations, and the expansion of the geographical ranges of arthropod vectors of pathogenic agents, resulting in an increased risk of animal disease. Given the broad applicability of qPCR across biological disciplines, the HQP of at least six of our colleagues in the CSRB also require access to a qPCR detection system for their studies. Unfortunately, mechanical/electrical problems with the optical modules of the two aging systems in the CSRB, mean that they are currently not usable for quantitative PCR. This problem forced 5 of our PhD students (2 supervised by PI Chilton and 3 supervised by PI Niyogi) to use qPCR detection systems in other buildings. However, this is not a practical or sustainable long-term solution because our students have limited access to this equipment due to the high demand for these systems by HQP within those other research units. This limitation has resulted in significant time delays in the research progress of our students and a major impediment to the advancement of their careers in NSE fields. Acquisition of a replacement qPCR detection system, an essential piece of infrastructure, will greatly advance the research work of graduate students and other HQP (e.g., PDFs, technicians, and undergraduate student trainees) in the research teams of the two PIs. This will also significantly strengthen opportunities to obtain new research funding and enhance the recruitment and quality of training of new students representing a diverse group of individuals who would use qPCR to investigate exciting new and important questions in parasitology, animal physiology, aquatic toxicology and other fields in biology.