This Biology Department has identified an opportunity to improve and diversify its laboratory capabilities in five upper division biology courses and in the undergraduate student research program. This entire array of objectives will be met by the acquisition of the components needed to build upon and complete a sophisticated cytophotometer system with fluorescence capabilities; that is, a functional unit which the Department had previously begun to assemble with their own resources. The added laboratory activities will include measurements of DNA content, cell cycle studies, and chromosome analyses in genetics; cytochemistry and fluorescence microscopy in cell biology; fluorescence cytophotometry and biotinylated DNA hybridization in molecular biology; microbe identification in microbiology; indirect fluorescence and direct immunofluorescence in immunology; and a number of qualitative and quantitative techniques and additional undergraduate research options. Scientific advances in certain aspects of biology which heavily utilize these techniques coincide very well with the nature of the curriculum, faculty expertise, and student interest here. The grantee institution is matching the NSF award with an equal sum obtained from non-Federal sources.
