Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is rapidly becoming an invaluable research tool with applications in fields as diverse as molecular biology, medicine and forensics. We feel that the introduction of PCR technology into our undergraduate curriculum is essential to maintain our practice of teaching current research techniques in molecular biophyscis and biochemistry. Especially those that are in widespread use and are likely to be encountered by our students in their future careers. We are requesting funding to purchase the temperature cycler needed for the repetitive denaturation and renaturation steps that form the basis of this technique.We are also requesting funds to purchase a spectrophotometer to be used to teach a variety of topics including introductory and advanced enzyme kinetics and investigations into the optical properties of nucleic acids, e.g. thermal denaturationEach of these pieces of equipment will be used in undergraduate teaching labs at Yale University both semesters of the academic year by majors and non-majors alike.
