The objectives of the molecular biology research laboratory for undergraduate women in science are: (1) to establish a state-of-the- art research laboratory in molecular biology to prepare women for biomedical careers and/or graduate research; (2) to strengthen the College's existing research internship program by establishing an on- campus lab equipped to permit more sophisticated student research and independent study; and (3) to foster a "partners in scholarship" atmosphere for faculty and students in the Biology Department. The acquisition of the electrophoresis apparatus, centrifuges, a spectrophotometer, and support instrumentation (incubators, sterilizer, orbital shaker) are modernizing the laboratory for student research in molecular biology. This lab enables students to learn the latest techniques employed in studying the molecular biology of proteins and nucleic acids, and then permits them to apply these techniques by designing and carrying out an independent research project. Research projects culminate in a seminar presented to the Missouri Academy of Science and a research manuscript. Some of the latter have proved to be suitable for publication. The grantee institution is matching the NSF award with an equal sum obtained from non-Federal sources.
