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

We propose to increase the capacity of researchers in the Biology Department of Memorial University to carry out modern molecular biology research by acquiring a sate of the art real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) system. Changes in gene expression underlie many biological phenomena. Real Time qPCR is currently the preferred method for quantifying nucleic acids and measuring changes in the expression of specific genes. qPCR is a highly sensitive method that utilizes small sample sizes and short experimental time frames and that can generate vast amounts of useful data. This technique is dramatically more sensitive than traditional means of quantifying mRNA such as northern blots or nuclease protection assays, which are becoming obsolete. In order to remain competitive in the field of molecular biology, it is imperative that the Department of Biology acquires a real time qPCR system. The total requested funds will support the NSERC-funded research program of three major users and their graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. These major users have a wide range of research interests that include fish molecular endocrinology, ecological genomics and fruit fly genetics.