This Research Improvement in Minority Institutions (RIMI) project will further develop a core facility for molecular biology. Investigators using the facility will perform research on bacterial, protozoan, and mammalian systems at the cellular and molecular level. Key research instruments needed by thise researchers are those that determine gene and protein structure and function including a peptide/protein sequencer. Researchers will gain the capacity to sequence purified proteins and make synthetic peptides or oligonucleotides for identification of specific genes. The installation of a molecular biology core facility will strengthen the research capability of a predominanty minority institution. The principal investigators are well-trained and have published widely in refereed journals. Faculty and students involved in this project will have their research skills sharpened and they become involved in various recombinant and molecular biology techniques and procedures.
