Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We are requesting funds to purchase a shared tabletop ultracentrifuge to replace our only such instrument which irreparably broke down after 19 years of heavy use. This will be common shared equipment for at least 8 research programs (4 applicants & 4 users). Preparative ultracentrifugation is an essential technique for Cell Biologists and Biochemists. It is used to study changes in the chemical and/or physical properties of subcellular components after environmental or genetic perturbation. Ultracentrifugation uses high centrifugal forces to separate these components, which include membranes, protein complexes and organelles for subsequent analysis by other methodologies. Ultracentrifugation is crucial for fundamental studies of biological processes by our groups including cell signaling, cytoskeletal regulation, endomembrane trafficking, autophagy, changes in organelle integrity, and the biogenesis of organelles. Thus, the loss of the only tabletop ultracentrifuge at Concordia University has severely impacted our research programs resulting in major delays. In particular, the tabletop model uses rotors with small volume capacities (can go below 0.2 mL), which are much lower than what are used in the rotors for the floor model ultracentrifuge. The ability to use small volumes is crucial due to technical limitations in acquiring samples, and in the cost of reagents required for sample preparation. The tabletop ultracentrifuge has been used daily by our trainees for 19 years. With this high rate of use, traveling off-site to use equivalent infrastructure at other institutions is not feasible. In addition, exposure to variable environmental conditions would severely compromise the quality of the samples and data collected. Another aspect to consider is the impact on training opportunities, especially for more junior trainees. When it was functional, the tabletop ultracentrifuge was used by HQP from diverse cultural backgrounds, career stages and learning styles. HQP received training tailored to their experiments and goals to ensure they had the necessary skills to use the infrastructure properly and securely, to advantage their future careers in the academic or private sectors.