9216828 Berry-Lowe A multi-component chromatography system, including fast protein liquid chromatography, will be used for a number of studies including the following: Purification, characterization, and site-directed mutagenesis of the enzymes involved in porphyrin synthesis in higher plants; study of the adaptive mechanisms by which conifers requlate rates of essential metabolic processes as a function of altitude (malate dehydrogenase will be purified and characterized initially); identification and purification of bacterial proteins involved in localization of lipoproteins in membranes; and protein engineering of a novel yeast qlucoamylase. This equipment will also be utilized in several undergraduate classes by the Biology Department of Colorado Springs: for demonstrations in lecture courses (Cell Biology, Immunology, Plant Physiology), for hands-on use in laboratory courses (Biochemistry, Biotechnology) and for hands-on use in research (Independent Study, Senior Thesis). ***