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

Living organisms and in particular plants are defined by the particular set of unique metabolites that they produce. While these have been classified as 'secondary metabolites' they play essential roles to the adaptations of plants for survival under different environmental conditions and under different selection pressures. Many of these metabolites have been developed into life saving medicines that have improved the lives of countless human beings and have helped to extend their lifespan. The AKTA purifier 10 system for protein purification will greatly enhance our ability to study the biosynthetic pathways involved in the biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites that are commercially relevant such as the anticancer agents of the Madagascar Periwinkle and the flavor, aroma and health promoting compounds of grape. The facility will replace an almost 20 year old Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography system that is no longer operational. The AKTA purifier 10 system for protein purification is a highly automated, rapid, sensitive and accurate tool for protein purification and analysis. These tools are essential to the discovery of biosynthetic pathways by facilitating the reproduceable isolation and purification to homogeneity of selected proteins. The outcome of research using the AKTA purifier 10 system will be to facilitate pathway characterization and the cloning of related genes. The knowledge gained will be used to develop plant systems that produce higher amounts of desireable specialty chemicals that are used by humans for producing medicines, health promoting products, flavors and aromas.