Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

NSERC-funded research labs from 3 departments and 2 faculties within the UBC Life Sciences Institute (LSI) have pioneered a broad variety of biochemical and molecular applications using biomolecular imagers. All of these research programs require sensitive approaches to study biomolecular interactions that are fundamental to biochemical reactions in the cell. As a highly advanced workhorse machine for the sensitive detection and quantitation of radioisotopes and fluorescent/chemiluminsescent probes, the requested GE Amersham Typhoon 5 imager will allow the applicants to continue developing cutting-edge approaches in addressing fundamental questions in biology. Currently, all existing imagers in the LSI are non-functional and irreparable, thus there is an urgent need to replace this imager. The instrument will allow the NSERC-funded research programs to continue developing new approaches, facilitate further innovation and enhance our training program in the biological sciences. This Typhoon 5 imager will support the continued research excellence of the applicants who over the last 6 years have collectively been awarded more that $12 million in funds for research and training, have produced 203 publications and 3 patents (1 pending), and trained 279 HQP.