NSF Award
9512406
This application proposes to acquire the necessary instrumentation for developing a Shared DNA Sequencing Facility at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. This instrumentation will include an automated DNA sequenator with attendant computers and software for collecting DNA sequence data, an optical disk drive for archiving sequence data, a Sun workstation and an additional Macintosh computer for DNA sequence analysis, and a spectrophotometer for analysis of template DNA and primer concentration and purity for sequencing reactions. Currently, we have state-of-the-art facilities that support cell biology, genetics and most other aspects of molecular biological research. However, rapid automated DNA sequencing is not currently available on the Oklahoma City campus. Automated DNA sequencing can be performed in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Roe, in the Department of Chemistry on the University of Oklahoma/Norman campus (roughly a 30 minute automobile drive). However, this facility is heavily used by the laboratories of Dr. Roe and his collaborators, precluding routine use of that instrumentation for the projects proposed in this application. The research projects in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology that will immediately benefit from this facility include: i) three projects to examine structure/function relationships in eucaryotic and procaryotic proteins (Lloyd, Gilmore and Tweten), ii) a project that will examine the evolutionary development of MHC loci in minority populations (Hildebrand), iii) a project that will examine the evolutionary relationships among poxviruses (Palumbo), iv) a project examining procaryotic plasmid/chromosomal interactions (Gilmore), and v) two projects that will sequence the genomes of a gram-positive and a gram-negative coccus (Dyer and Ferretti). Some of these projects are currently supported by extramural funding, and the availability of this Shared DNA Sequencing Facility will dramatically increase the likelihood o f extramural funding for other projects. Intertwined with and an essential component of this scientific enterprise is significant training in basic molecular biology. This training includes the ongoing research education of post-doctoral fellows and graduate students within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Further, several programs in the Department and the University support research training for undergraduate students, minority high school teachers and minority high school students. Thus, the instrumentation proposed for this Shared DNA Sequencing Facility will significantly enhance the research and research training environment within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. In support of this, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology has committed funds to support a technician dedicated to the facility, and to support the service contracts necessary to maintain the facility for the initial three years of operation. Although the Shared DNA Sequencing Facility will be housed in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the facility will be available to all investigators on the Oklahoma City campus, subject to user fees to help defray costs. Thus, this facility will have significant impact outside the Department, enriching the research and research training capability of the entire University of Oklahoma Health Science Center campus. Consistent with this potential, we have obtained significant institutional support for this Shared DNA Sequencing Facility, as the Health Sciences Center has pledged matching funds (dollar-for-dollar) to purchase the instrumentation to be housed in this facility.
