In the last several years the level of research activityof the Miami Biochemistry division has increased dramatically. The division has added a new faculty member (a new position) and obtained $975,000 in research funding including four grants from NSF. This increase in research activity has identified several inadequacies in the divisions' instrumentation. Several o fthe funded research projects require capabilities not currently available in the division. The required instrumentation are: a supraspeed centrifuge and rotors, a gradient HPLC system with microbore capabilities to isolate ug quantitites of protein, and a scanning UV/visibile spectrophotometer with high sensitivity. All three pieces of equipment, commonly found in biochemistry laboratories, are essential to at least two of the PIs and will be used occasionally by the other three groups in the division. The requested instruments will be used to support and enhance the following research projects: 1) development regulation of plant mitochondrial biogenesis and pollen development, 2) metabolic regulation and biosynthesis of fatty acids in plant, and 3) the role of tannins in plant-herbivore interactions.
