A modern, high technology-oriented physiology laboratory to support the physiology and cell biology courses is being equipped through this award. These courses constitute an integral part of the Biology program and are fundamental to the students' understanding of life processes. Explanations of biological phenomena are increasingly sought at the biochemical level, and are arrived at by employing sophisticated, instrument-oriented techniques such as radioactive labeling of cellular components, spectro-photometric analyses of enzyme activities and metabolic concentrations, and chromatographic procedures for separating complex mixtures into their individual components. A UV/VIS spectrophotometer, a high pressure liquid chromatographic system, and a computer link-up that provides instrument control and data analysis are being added. At least three courses are benefitting directly. In addition, a new instrumentation course is being developed. In the field of modern molecularly-oriented biology, skill in the use of these techniques and supportive instruments is second only in importance to the students' understanding of the biological concepts for which they are employed.
