This project provides funds to purchase equipment to fully implement the introduction of the study of immunology. The equipment is basic, but allows undergraduate biology and biochemistry students to master an understanding and the techniques of cell culture. The first item, the CO2 incubator, is being used to grow cell lines purchased for student study of B and T lymphocytes, cell response to mitogens, and cellular communication. This incubator is of great assistance in cell biology and microbiology courses, providing the opportunity for advanced cell culture studies and the inclusion of animal virology (components of these courses that are not currently possible). The second item, the clean bench, improves the students' rate of success in their experimentation by reducing possible contamination. The clean bench is also being used in other undergraduate courses (cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, neurobiology, microbiology). This equipment is also available for student independent research, which is encouraged following completion of the immunology course.
