This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a liberal arts institution with a focus on undergraduate education and research. The Departments of Biology and Chemistry at Southern Oregon University recently established an undergraduate research facility dedicated to study in the interdisciplinary fields of biotechnology. This award will enhance the research and research training capabilities of the Biotechnology Research Center and develop it as a state-of-the-art facility for faculty and students to conduct cutting-edge research. The Biotechnology Research Center is a supportive environment at SOU for undergraduate students to learn to use molecular methods and to understand the application of these techniques to diverse research questions. The Center houses equipment and supplies needed for research using molecular methods, provides functional bench space, and serves as a forum for interaction between faculty and students working on diverse projects that share some methodology. This award will enable SOU to purchase and install up-to-date fixed equipment and facilitate renovations to modernize the lab space. It is an integral component of numerous student research projects and provides research training to dozens of upper-division biology and chemistry students through specific courses. Thus, the Center is an invaluable facility in helping SOU train tomorrow's scientists.
Renovating the Center will correct deficiencies in basic research and safety needs. Specifically, this project includes the upgrade and/or installation of a fume hood, DNA extraction room, microscopy space, vacuum lines with HEPA filtration, distilled water, safety shower and adequate bench space. SOU will then provide a modern, safer research environment for SOU's growing body of students interested in the fields of molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry.
The National Science Foundation awarded Southern Oregon University (SOU) $218,786 to modernize the Biotechnology Research Laboratory. In short, we turned a 1960’s teaching lab into a 21st century modern facility. For several years, the Biology and Chemistry departments at SOU have been using the teaching laboratory to train students in a diverse array of biotechnological techniques. The funds have enabled our group to: 1) Expand and re-organize the lab - An increase of 300 square feet and reorganization of space allowed for additional bench space, ADA accessible bench space and equipment, space for an autoclave to sterilize equipment and samples, and clean rooms to extract DNA and conduct research with sensitive microscopes. 2) Provide a safer research environment – The renovated facility includes a fume hood for the use of hazardous materials including chemicals, safety shower and eyewashes in addition to other Biosafety Level-2 requirements and recommendations such as an autoclave for sterilization. 3) Modernize the Biotechnology Research Laboratory – Funding allowed the addition of basic utilities such as vacuum and distilled water lines to the facility, and plumbing and electrical needs for an autoclave. Additional room modifications allowed for increased security (keyless entry) and general modernization (e.g., new lab benches with acid-proof surfaces, locking cabinets, and new flooring and lighting). Our students greatly benefit from our strong ‘hands-on’ approach to laboratory science. Many of our students have worked or are working in the Biotechnology Research Laboratory through coursework, senior capstone projects, independent projects and/or alongside faculty on research projects. These students receive invaluable training as scientists, which better prepares them for future careers and/or graduate/professional schools. The renovation has improved student training opportunities and developed a professional lab atmosphere. The efficient and effective setup and organization of the new lab has allowed students to become more independent in performing their lab work. Our laboratory is on the facilities tour during Southern Oregon Arts & Research, a week-long celebration of our students’ and faculty’s scholarly accomplishments. This tour gives community members, as well as our own campus, the opportunity to see first-hand the types and quality of research our undergraduate students are conducting. In addition, we tour prospective students and high school counselors through the facility, and discuss research projects our students are working on. We also continue to strengthen working relationships with local partners to provide our students with real-world experiences. The renovation of the Biotechnology Research Laboratory, funded by the National Science Foundation, has greatly impacted the experience of many future scientists that begin their training here at SOU.
