A grant has been awarded to the University of Texas-Pan American under the direction of Dr. Anita Baines to acquire a genetic analysis system for biological research and education. The system will provide researchers with the ability to perform DNA sequencing to study individual genetic differences and populations of organisms. The genetic analysis system will be used to study communities of bacteria and fungi, the phylogeny of neurobiology and behavior, regulation of cell death (apoptosis), and genes that affect the response of sea grasses to stresses from heavy metals in the environment. The institution educates primarily an undergraduate population, and nearly 90% are Hispanic. Students will be exposed to the instrument and genetic data in courses on cell biology, biotechnology, and molecular genetics. Graduate and undergraduate students will employ the instrumentation in their research.
