High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and computer-linked enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) will be used by students in the Microbiology program at the University of California at Long Beach in preparation for laboratory technician positions in molecular biology, industrial, and environmental microbiology. HPLC will introduce students to time-efficient steps in the separation and detection of specific cellular components used in microbial identification. Applications of HPLC in microbiology will be presented in laboratory exercises in different upper-division elective courses offered by the Microbiology Department. ELISA instrumentation will introduce third- year students in the required course of Immunology and Serology to automated, time-efficient steps in the quantitation of specific proteins on the microbial cell surface using the specificity of antibody- dependent immunoassays. Students will become familiar with the application of computers to microbiological instrumentation and data analysis. Experience with this equipment in the teaching laboratory exercises will prepare B.S. candidates in microbiology for positions in commercial laboratories where these techniques are currently in use. This new instrumentation will produce a major updating of this B.S.-level technician preparatory program.
