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

The infrastructure requested here includes a refrigerated shaker incubator and service contracts for three pieces of existing equipment (PhosphorImager, ChemiImager and a benchtop centrifuge).  The latter infrastructure purchased through funds provided by the Canadian Foundation of Innovation is currently housed in the open space laboratories of Northern Biosciences Research Unit (NBRU) which comprises seven groups of about 40 members.  The warranties for this essential back-bone infrastructure for biochemistry and molecular biology research at UNBC have expired.  The service contracts for this equipment will ensure continuation and complete use for the next 5 years.  The requested refrigerated shaker incubator will significantly ease the over subscribed demand for the existing small shaker incubator and increase our productivity. In addition, it will allow us to perform specific experiments at or below 15 degrees celcius which was not previously possible.   The requested infrastructure will support and prevent any major interruptions of at least twenty separate research programs conducted by seven faculty members , two of which are Research Chairs, at UNBC.  These diverse research programs encompass understanding the enzymology of mRNA decay, pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms, allosteric control of kinases, molecular entomology, regulation of blood flow, calcium signalling in smooth muscle cells to the study of genetic diversity of aquatic organisms in extreme lakes.  These research programs are vital not only for the training of a large number of highly qualified personnel in a rural part of Canada, but will also serve as a catalyst for the initiation of knowledge-based industry to diversify the economy in northern British Columbia.