Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Molecular markers have revolutionized ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation genetics. High resolution DNA markers permit key insights into such foundational research themes as the timing and mechanisms of speciation, mating systems and sexual selection, community dynamics, the evolution of range limits, and conservation of species at risk. Such research endeavours typically involve collecting 100s and sometimes 1000s of tissue samples per project over many years, tissues from which DNA is extracted and then used to survey genetic diversity among wild populations. To ensure viability of samples for such molecular analyses the best option is to maintain them at constant, ultra low (-80 degrees C) temperatures. Here we request funding to purchase three 24 cubic feet -86 degree freezers to support the research in the laboratories of eight ecology and evolution faculty and approximately 40 students and postdoctoral fellows/yr. in the Department of Biology at Queen's University. Our need is dire as we have only two freezers, one of which is over 10 years old. Many of our samples are currently stored in a regular - 25 degree C walk-in freezer, an untenable long term storage option. We thus have no capacity for even our current samples, let alone ones that will be collected in the future (4-5000 samples/yr.) and no back-up should a freezer fail  The freezer configuration requested will securely house our current tissue and DNA collection, plus allow storage of samples anticipated for the foreseeable future, and will provide us with an opportunity to upgrade and integrate our cataloguing system so that it may be managed by our molecular research associate.