High Dimensional Flow Cytometer for Microbiological Analysis and Education
Abstract
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced), which opened to students in 2005, is the first new research university built in the 21st century. UC MercedÕs overall 57% underrepresented minority rate is the highest in the University of California system, with other campuses ranging from 17% to 42%. While serving a large proportion of ethnic minorities, UC Merced has also rapidly become recognized for its research capacity. Here we propose to acquire the Bio-Rad ZE5 flow cytometer for expansion of research capacity, to serve existing research projects in a wide range of disciplines, to support existing STEM programs and curricula, and to increase participation in STEM fields among students from high school to university levels. The Bio-Rad ZE5 is a newly released, state-of-the-art flow cytometer that has achieved major advances in fluorescence detection capabilities and features. We propose to house this instrument in the Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry (SCIF) core facility that oversees the universityÕs current flow cytometry/cell sorting resources. In our analysis of the available instruments, we determined that the Bio-Rad ZE5 will provide all the detection channels our investigators will need (with room to grow), and many useful features not found in other instruments that will benefit both our researchers, STEM students, and our core facility lab staff. Our team is comprised of two principal investigators. Dr. Clarissa Nobile, the lead principal investigator, whose lab studies the molecular and mechanistic bases of microbial communities (e.g. biofilms), and Dr. David Gravano, the co-lead principal investigator, who manages flow cytometry resources at UC MercedÕs SCIF. High-throughput genetic screens and assays performed in the Nobile lab will greatly benefit from the Bio-Rad ZE5Õs unique capabilities. The SCIFÕs technical expertise in flow cytometry will ensure that the Bio-Rad ZE5 will have wide accessibility, proper maintenance, and effective user training. Three additional co-investigators have described their labsÕ research projects that will specifically benefit from the Bio-Rad ZE5. We estimate that at least 10 current UC Merced labs will utilize the Bio-Rad ZE5 for approximately 900 hours per year for research purposes. UC Merced is currently undergoing a campus expansion called the Ò2020 ProjectÓ that will double the physical infrastructure of the campus by fall 2020, adding a new Biosafety Level 3 lab that this instrument would also support along with many new faculty in the life sciences. Additionally, the Bio-Rad ZE5 will support the undergraduate curriculum at UC Merced through collaboration with the HHMI-funded Inclusive Excellence in Science Education program. This program will utilize the Bio-Rad ZE5 to provide course-based research experiences that will support UC MercedÕs new General Education curriculum that requires a Òculminating experienceÓ for all students before graduation. We will further supplement high school and undergraduate research and training programs including the NSF-funded CREST Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines Summer Internship Program and the Science and Technology Enrichment Program, the CalTeach Bobcat Summer STEM Academy and the CalTeach Teacher Summer Institute, the NIH-funded MARC U*STAR program, and the UC Merced Student Success Internship program. These programs, combined with the existing and future faculty research projects, will ensure broad utilization of the valuable technique of flow cytometry and the new Bio-Rad ZE5 instrument.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910529
Entities
People
- Clarissa Nobile
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of California