This award provides funds to the department of Biochemistry at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to give undergraduate majors in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biology hands-on experience in state-of-the-art biochemical techniques. Emphasis will be placed on methods used in the analysis of the structure and function of proteins in experiments that also illustrate some current principles in regulatory biology. Specific methods will deal with protein and peptide purification; physical, chemical and immunochemical analyses of proteins; and molecular cloning and recombinant DNA techniques. Major instruments to be purchased in support of the project will include: 1. A high performance liquid chromatography and data analysis system for protein chemistry experiments; 2. Recording spectrophotometers for protein spectral and enzyme kinetics experiments; 3. A plate reader for enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays; 4. Electrophoresis equipment for structural land immunochemical analyses of purified proteins and for recombinant DNA experiments; 5. Preparative centrifuge rotors for DNA and protein experiments; 6. Additional general equipment for the analyses described above. The acquisition of the instruments will allow the students to participate in experiments that are not commonly done in undergraduate biochemistry laboratories, and will provide a sound foundation for future work in research and education. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
