MC receives $35,000 grant for DNA sequencing
Release Date: March 23, 2005
MONMOUTH, Ill. — Monmouth College has received a $35,000 grant
toward the purchase of a DNA sequencer, which will be used by the
biology and biochemistry departments.
Provided by LI-COR Biosciences of Lincoln, Neb., the grant will fund
roughly half the cost of the instrument, which is expected to be in
use by this fall.
Faculty members James Godde and Patricia Draves, who wrote the grant
proposal, said the equipment will enable MC students to genetically
sequence single- and double-stranded DNA, as well as PCR (polymerase
chain reaction) products. PCR allows the production of more than 10
million copies of a target DNA sequence from only a few molecules.
“We are very pleased to receive this award,” said Godde. “It will
allow Monmouth College to stay on the cutting edge of biomedical
research and to better prepare our graduates for scientific careers.
This is an exciting time to be involved in biology!”
Draves agreed, saying, “We have many class and research projects
that will have fun using the sequencer. The students will learn how
to do some interesting and important science.”
In 2004, LI-COR awarded $1.25 million to U.S. colleges, technical
schools and high schools through its 2005 Genomics Education
Matching Fund (GEMF) program. It will award $2 million this year.
“It is our goal to help the scientists of the future to have access
to this technology,” said Bill Biggs, LI-COR president and CEO.
“This program helps institutions enhance their programs in genomic
education with practical, hands-on experience in molecular biology.”
To receive the grant, Monmouth College needed to demonstrate how it
would incorporate the LI-COR DNA analysis system to teach students.
Upon receiving the instruments, the college may also use them for
faculty and student research programs.
LI-COR Biosciences is a leader in the design, manufacture and
marketing of integrated instrument systems for plant biology,
biotechnology, drug discovery and environmental research. Founded in
1971, the company pioneered the development of infrared fluorescence
labeling and detection systems for DNA sequencing, protein imaging
and genotyping for genomic and proteomic research.
Monmouth College has recently taken an active role in the study of
DNA. Roseville native and cloning expert Steven Stice has spoken to
Freshman Seminar students on several occasions and, two years ago,
the college’s 50th anniversary observance of the discovery of DNA
featured a McMullen Lecture by Jon Widom, chair of the department of
biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology at Northwestern
University.
“The discovery of DNA changed the course of science and medicine,”
said Draves. “It’s a bigger discovery than penicillin. It’s
improving people’s ways of life.”
Released
by the Office of College Communications
Barry McNamara, Associate Director of College Communications
Phone: 309-457-2117
Fax: 309-457-2330
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