Acquisition of DNA Analysis Instrumentation for Molecular Studies Our goal is to establish a common core facility for DNA sequence analysis. We propose to purchase: an Automated DNA Sequencer; a molecular biology CATALYST Labstation; an Oligo Synthesizer; a PhosphorImager workstation; a Fluorimager; a Computer System; a Biomek II robot; a Thermocycler: an Automated Film Developer: a Vacuum Centrifuge: a Photodocumentation Station; and two Ultra Cold Freezers (-80 and -30). The participating faculty address a wide range of research related to biodiversity and biotechnology. Their efforts share a common theme of DNA sequence analysis and fall into two major areas: 1) Molecular genetic approaches to study gene expression, RNA processing, and molecular phylogeny, and 2) Molecular approaches in the study of Population Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution. In the area of Molecular genetic approaches to study gene expression. RNA processing. and molecular phylogeny, faculty research and research training include: Whalen's molecular genetic analyses of interactions between bacterial pathogens and plants; Marquez-Magana's investigations of the molecular mechanisms that regulate flagellin gene expression in Bacillus subtilis; and Davis's functional significance and regulation of spliced leader RNA trans-splicing in metazoa, the evolution of parasitism in flatworms, and the molecular phylogeny of flatworms and early metazoa. The focus of Ramirez' s research is to clone the RECI gene and further characterize the RPD3 (a.k.a. REC3) genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which are implicated in the repair of damaged DNA and in mitotic recombination. Goldman focuses on a structural unit of the eukaryotic chromosome, the chromatin domain or loop, and its potential role as a functional unit in the regulation of gene expression in mammalian X- chromosome inactivation and genomic imprinting. Perara investigates molecular approaches to the problem of protein transport across cell ular membranes, with the primary focus on a systematic comparison of the molecular mechanisms of secretory protein transport across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and the bacterial periplasmic membrane. In the area of Molecular approaches in the study of Population Genetics. Ecology and Evolution, faculty research and research training include: Parker/Cullings' studies of plant community and evolutionary ecology, dynamics of plant recruitment, life history evolution and community turnover rates; Smith/Bayliss' investigations of evolutionary ecology and conservation biology with research focus on the role of transition zones between rain forest and savannah in speciation and their role as related to conservation of rain forest species; Arp's studies of physiological adaptation to environment, sulfide tolerance and detoxification in mudflat invertebrates, ecology and physiology of hydrothermal vent organisms; Randall's investigations of evolution of communication and social organization in desert rodents; and Routman' s use of modem molecular genetics to examine population structure, biogeography and intraspecific phylogeny, and the genetic architecture of complex phenotypes. Larson's research is in population biology of nearshore teleost fishes, including their behavior, feeding ecology, life histories, and population structure. Desjardin focuses on taxonomy and phylogeny of fleshy fungi, primarily Agaricales, using traditional and modern aspects of systematics, including cladistic and morphometric analysis, utilizing morphological, ecological, physiological, genetic and molecular data. Hollibaugh addresses physiological ecology of bacterial communities in geochemical cycles and foodwebs. Orrego employs the techniques of molecular genetics for the study of genetic variation in natural populations as displayed by sequences obtained via long distance PCR methods. Our proposed instrumentation will increase the amount and efficiency of our research an d training efforts and enable us to train a greater number of students. The requested equipment will provide the highest resolution available for the analysis of DNA/RNA using PCR amplification, DNA sequencing, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), Single Strand Conformation Polymorphisms (SSCP), and a variety of other DNA/RNA detection and analytical methods. With the increased throughput capacity for large numbers of samples that can be processed rapidly and efficiently with longer sequence reading (>700 bp), we will be able to do new high resolution analysis on much greater numbers of samples more rapidly than in the past. For example, the ABI 377 Sequencer provides new longer gel formats that allow one to read 700 bases/run and 36 lanes/run that can be completed in 8 hour (or overnight) runs and 300-500 bp runs in 2.25 hours, allowing 3 runs in an eight hour period. Several faculty (Davis, Hollibaugh, and Parker) will collectively sequence in excess of 10,000 samples/year which represents one run of 36 samples each day for a year. While this alone clearly justifies our need, the acquisition of the proposed instrumentation would also allow us the capacity to triple this number. We will also use the equipment for faculty enhancement short courses; since 1991 we have presented 10 such courses-to over 240 faculty from 35 states.
