This NSF MRI Award funds the acquisition of a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system to significantly improve infrastructure for research, research training, and education in the biological sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSUS). The HPLC system is used to support a range of research projects, including: abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations and antioxidant concentrations in salt-stressed plants; agricultural chemical residues in constructed wetlands; ecological chemistry and carotenoids; molecular genetics of yeast; ecological chemistry and metabolites; and evolutionary and systematic botany. In addition to providing modern HPLC capabilities for research, the new system allows the Department to advance education and training objectives by teaching students to use and apply the latest HPLC procedures in a laboratory and classroom environment. LSUS, an institution that serves significant numbers of students from under-represented groups, has a long history of involving undergraduates in research projects within the Department of Biological Sciences. Research training and education supported by the new HPLC system will contribute to development of a skilled workforce in Louisiana (an EPSCoR state) and the nation. The results of the research and teaching efforts will be broadly disseminated through abstracts and peer reviewed publications, as well as by active participation of students and faculty at professional meetings.
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is one of the most powerful separation techniques as our disposal. This technology can be used to separate numerous families of molecules. The HPLC at LSU-Shreveport funded by NSF has been used to support graduate research projects as well as enhance graduate and undergraduate teaching. The first research project carried out with the HPLC was to survey the local lakes and wetlands for the presence of environmental estrogens. Excess estrogens in the environment can have a negative impact on many organisms. Currently another study is being carried out to look at the herbicide atrazine in the waters of North Louisiana. This study has just begun and will be finished in 2014. These studies are the first of many to study the water quality of our local lakes and wetlands. In addition, the use of the HPLC has been integrated in upper level biology laboratories. Both the Cell Biology and Molecular Biology laboratories use the HPLC to separate molecules of interest. Few undergraduate students get hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art HPCL technology. Many of LSUS biology graduate students are public school teachers. The technology they learn about in graduate school will filter down into their public school classes and can enhance science education and motivate students to enter science careers.
