Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

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.