Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We propose an upgrade to our Protein Imaging Suite by replacing our Kodak X-OMAT developer that is obsolete. Our Kodak X-OMAT has been active since 1997 with servicing numerous NSERC- funded scientists in the Faculties of Science and Medicine at Dalhousie University. This legacy piece of equipment is not serviceable because we can no longer source replacement hardware and is now a bottleneck in our NSERC-funded research programs. Because of this, we are requesting funds to upgrade our Protein Imaging Suite. Proteins are the communication conduits that enable cells to live and execute numerous functions depending on the protein's location, networking and expression pattern. In the context of signal transduction, proteins mediate the movement of information throughout the cell, from outside the cell, from cytoplasmic compartments to the nucleus and vice versa, all in response to external stimuli, stressors, and/or aberrant internal events. One way to evaluate proteins is through western blot analysis. Western blot analysis permits the validation of protein presence, relative abundance, relative mass, presence of post-translational modifications, as well as characterization of protein-protein interactions. Western blot analysis has undeniably contributed to numerous discoveries and remains a staple of many NSERC-funded research programs and training platforms for our HQP. Replacing our Kodak X-OMAT legacy platform will allow for flexibility in how we image proteins ex vivo and in vivo, and allow HQPs to be trained with modern state-of-the-art protein expression analysis technology in natural sciences that is an essential platform in the biotechnology sectors. Hands-on training in this technology will increase the likelihood they will bring value to the biotechnology sector, thereby increasing their chances of being recruited by biotechnology companies, public sector or share their knowledge and skills in the academic space through further graduate and post-doctoral training. Our undergraduate students will work with PhD students, while PDFs will be given the opportunity to train and mentor PhD students in protein purification, quantification and expression analysis. The proposed equipment request is designed to fill an important and significant gap in protein expression analysis at Dalhousie University for NSERC-funded research programs. HQP from each of our labs will have access to state-of-the-art Protein Imaging Suite that will complement on-going technologies such as gene-editing tools, NGS, bioinformatics, microscopy platforms, mass spectrometry, and tissue culture techniques.