Weiss With support from the National Science Foundation, Pennsylvania State University will purchase a DNA synthesizer, automated DNA sequencer, gel documentation system and biological microscope for work on molecular and developmental genetics. The Biological Anthropological Laboratory (BAL) where the instrumentation will be housed, plays a leading role in anthropological genetics. However since the laboratory was established in 1986-87, sequencing instrumentation has changed enormously and new systems are necessary to permit the BAL to conduct effective research. New instrumentation will allow the laboratory to address questions on a much larger scale, both in terms of the numbers of samples processed and the amount of information obtained per sample. Many of the BAL's projects require large sample sizes; the facility recently received for example a priceless collection of over 12,000 South American Indian blood samples. The BAL focusses on molecular genetic questions which are of anthropological significance. It examines the evolution of evolutionary-interesting phenotypes including, for example, the genetic basis of susceptibility to diabetes and obesity in Amerindians, the evolution of genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis and the genetics of variation in olfaction among individuals. The laboratory also attempts to reconstruct various aspects of evolutionary history. Currently, for example it is investigating the colonization of the South Pacific through the analysis of patterns of molecular genetic variation in Asian and Pacific populations. The BAL also places strong emphasis on the training of students at all levels and the instrumentation provided will not only help to maintain the high research standards of the research group, but also provide students with the training and facilities necessary to ensure productive graduate and post-graduate careers.
