We propose to secure funding for a phosphorimager to be shared among the members of the Center for Molecular Parasitology at Case Western Reserve University. This group, within the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, is a newly formed division consisting of four current (increasing to eight) principal investigators. Each of the member laboratories is involved in research examining different aspects of RNA processing. Briefly, this research includes studies examining cis- and trans-splicing in nematodes, the characterization of similarities and differences between cis- and trans splicing systems, protein factor involvement in cis- and trans-splicing, mechanisms of RNA editing in the slime mold, Physarum polycephalum, developmental regulation of RNA editing in Physarum polycephalum, molecular analysis of signal recognition particle in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and splicing mechanisms and factors in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. As the molecular tools employed in the analysis of RNA processing have become increasingly more sensitive, the traditional film-based autoradiographic approach to isotope detection has become limiting. The acquisition of a phosphorimager would allow us to gain access to new technology that would directly impact not only our ability to perform a majority of our experiments where signal strength is a critical issue, but it would also allow for the Center as a whole to increase its productivity by drastically decreasing the time required between the performance of an experiment and the analysis of data. The system's multi-user capabilities would be enhanced through the incorporation of a package of peripheral equipment (detailed in the Description of Instrumentation) aimed at maintaining the base phosphorimaging unit as a data acquisition point with all subsequent data analysis performed at remote, existing computer locations. This also allows for several students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians t o analyze data simultaneously. If funding for this equipment is provided by the NSF through a Multi-User Biological Equipment and Instrumentation Resources Grant, then multiple laboratory groups (presently four, but expanding to eight) will gain access to current technology that will allow for experiments to be conducted that otherwise would be difficult or impossible to analyze.
