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

Funds are requested to purchase a gradient thermocycler that will replace an old instrument which broke down and is beyond repair. A gradient thermocycler is absolutely crucial to Dr. Volkoff for the maintenance of a successful research program on the physiological and endocrine mechanisms regulating food intake in fish. Data generated by this research program will provide new approaches to manage and enhance growth and reproduction in fish. In addition, in the long term, based on the strong similarities in the regulatory pathways between fish and higher vertebrates, our results will contribute to the establishment of a fundamental model of the endocrine regulation of feeding in vertebrates. The first and inescapable step in this research consists of the characterization of brain appetite-regulating factors in fish by molecular cloning, a process based on nucleic acid amplification using a thermocycler. Without timely access to this important research equipment, delays in data generation, in training required for both graduate and undergraduate theses work and in publications will undoubtedly occur.