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

Gene expression analysis plays a pivotal role in cell and biochemical researches. While classical detection methods are still accepted, modern and highly sensitive techniques have been widely and overwhelmingly demanded by researchers and scientific journals. To maintain our competitiveness in research and training, we are seeking a financial support for the acquisition of a highly sensitive luminometer (20/20n Tube Luminometer by Turner Biosystems) and a real time thermocycler (StepOnePlusTM by Applied Biosystems). These state-of-the-art instruments are essential and will be heavily used by six research groups in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (University of Windsor). The requested luminometer will be extensively used for dual luciferase reporter assays to determine the functions of promoters and regulatory elements; while the real time thermocycler will be extensively used for quantitative analyses, including genotyping and gene expression profiling. Currently there is no equivalent system available in the Department. The acquisition of these instruments will have tremendous and positive impact on the quality and productivity of the on-going and newly developed research programs, as well as on the training of highly qualified personnel.