This award provides funds to be used for purchase of instrumentation to be used for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies. Unlike standard PCR, real-time PCR is a versatile technique that can be used to both detect and measure the abundance of a specific messenger RNA, and thus provide quantitative information about expression of a specific gene. Use of real-time PCR complements the use of DNA microarrays, another modern technology for monitoring gene expression, which can provides global information about the expression of many genes, but with much less accuracy than real-time PCR. The new instrumentation will be located in a new core Biotechnology Support Facility recently established at Cook College with donations from industry and support from the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education. The instrument will enable the use of real-time PCR in a variety of research efforts, including studies of gene expression in yeast treated with protein synthesis inhibitors; other studies of the pyrene and phenanthrene degradation pathways in Mycobacterium; studies of the expression of genes controlling cysteine and methionine homeostasis in Arabidopsis; and larger scale efforts to develop accurate quantitative information about the expression of all genes in Arabidopsis. The instrument will greatly enhance the ability of Cook College faculty to undertake research as well as their ability to provide instruction and training to students at all levels.
