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

The applicants are involved in highly competitive research in diverse fields of study. These areas of investigation include life sciences, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and environmental science. This NSERC Research Tools and Instruments grant proposal is in response to the current need expressed by the applicants to have access to a reliable tabletop ultracentrifuge that allows the processing of small volume samples (i.e. 1-2ml). This piece of equipment is essential for several aspects of the applicants' research. For example, the preparation of extracts from cells, a key step in several projects spearheaded by some of the applicants, requires centrifugation at a very high speed (over 150 000 x g!) that is only possible with the help of an ultracentrifuge. Other applicants require an ultracentrifuge to purify small amounts of environmental samples, or to separate nanoparticles according to their size. The instrument that the applicants are requesting is the Beckman Optima Max ultracentrifuge. This piece of equipment is small enough to be placed on a table or even on a cart. Considering the large number of expected users (this proposal involves 11 researchers!), the fact that this ultracentrifuge can be relatively easily moved from one laboratory to another is a major advantage. This ultracentrifuge also allows for 10 user programs, meaning that 10 research teams will be able to save their own ultracentrifugation settings, a big advantage in a multiuser environment. This Beckman Optima Max ultracentrifuge will have a major impact on the research programs of over 10 Laurentian University research teams, including dozens of graduate and undergraduate students.