A grant has been awarded to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi under the direction of Dr. Joe M. Fox to acquire an amino acid analyzer that will be used to enhance research and teaching at the university. The grant will provide a group of biologists with tools to determine the amino acid composition and dietary requirements for organisms used in developmental biology research. Projects include amino acid requirements of marine shrimp under various salinity and temperature regimes, dietary studies of sea urchins, the role of amino acids in arsenic tolerance of sunflowers, amino acids produced in deep sea habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, and nutrient dynamics of cold water corals. The instrument will also benefit students at the institution through laboratory use in courses in biology, ecology, chemistry, mariculture and environmental science. The institution has a significant population of Hispanics and other minorities, and the instrument will benefit their education and training in biological research.
