Microarray Scanner and Phosphoimager as Capital Improvements for Plant Genomic Infrastructure

Kansas State University, Manhattan KS

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides support for purchase of a phosphor-imager to be placed in the University's Plant Biotechnology Center. There are already several items of genomics-related equipment in the Center, but there is no shared-use imager, a workhorse instrument in modern molecular biology. Among the uses planned are research on the structure and function of expressed genes, functional and comparative genomics, gene mapping, plant cell-cycle studies, investigation of non-host disease resistance mechanisms, and regulation and function of lipid-based signaling. In addition to advancing research, the instrument will broaden the training of students, post-doctoral fellows, and visiting scientists by providing greater access to the latest and most up-to-date equipment. Imagers of this type replace the use of film in many research procedures that require localization of radioactively-labelled proteins and nucleic acids after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Use of the imager speeds up detection and measurement, as well as avoiding the need for chemicals and equipment used in film processing.