The department is purchasing an oligonucleotide synthesizer, a spin- dryer, a spectrophotometer, a gel dryer-vacuum pump, and an automated polymerase chain reaction apparatus for undergraduate instruction in a junior year course in cell and molecular biology and for senior research projects. This equipment enhances the development of the laboratory course by introducing the theory and practise of site- specific mutagenesis using deoxynucleotides, enhances the ability to screen large numbers of clones and carry out DNA sequence analysis of mutant genes, allows the preparation of large amounts of rare genes for sequencing work and the preparation of probes, and provides a sensitive and precise sepctrophotometer. The equipment impacts on all upper level courses in the curriculum and enables the college to provide a modern program in cell, molecular and developmental biology. The college will contribute an amount equal to the award.
