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

The University of Lethbridge has a well established track record as a primarily undergraduate institution.  In recent years, the university has experienced rapid growth and established a much needed graduate program.  Both undergraduate and graduate students are actively involved in research and the addition of a high throughput DNA laboratory would provide them with access to state-of-the-art facilities comparable to those at other research institutions.  It will be used to support a range of research projects including stress response, plant development and environmental impact of livestock operations.  One of the projects that would benefit the most from this equipment uses DNA as tags to track the historical changes in bird populations in response to climate change.  This project will assist with predictions of extinctions and response to habitat fragmentation and range shifts resulting from human disturbance and global warming.