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GENOMICS CENTER
For
over five years, the faculty and staff of the King's College Biology Department
have dedicated themselves to establishing the King's College Genomics
Center which opened in the fall 2006. In order to make this dream a reality,
the first two phases of this three part process required acquiring essential
equipment.
In the fall 2004, King's obtained a mobile wireless computer classroom which included 20 laptop computers each loaded with specialized software. One of the benefits of this computer classroom is it can be transported throughout the department in an easy to use cart where faculty and students can access computerized programs that are essential in the study of the natural sciences. It has also benefited King's students and faculty as it has allowed them to expand their opportunities for collaborative research.
In the fall 2005, King's embarked on phase two of the establishment of the Genomics Center and acquired a DNA Analysis System manufactured by Beckman Coulter. With this system, students generate DNA sequencing and fragment analysis data which is then analyzed by the new computer center.
The final phase was the acquisition of stereomicroscopes for RNA interference experiments and thermal cyclers for quantitative real time PCR. The King's College Genomics Center engages students in an interdisciplinary approach to meet the demands of a new era in biology and medicine.
King's currently offers its students the opportunity to work in areas of genome analysis that require rapid DNA sequencing. This cutting edge research gives students an understanding of how genomes are structured and how organisms utilize their genetic information. Hands-on research is linked to computer based investigations using sequence data and bioinformatic tools; research projects will expand knowledge on topics ranging from plants to ecosystems to human biology. Together these projects will contribute to the overall goal of genomics which is to elucidate the true structure and function of genes. Genomics will guide research for the next decade, and at King's our students will actively participate in it.
The Genomics Center will benefit three areas of King's science curriculum: the molecular biology program, undergraduate student research, and our community outreach programs for high school students
The King's College Molecular Biology program is an interdisciplinary approach to meeting the demands and challenges of a new era in biology. Five courses are required for awarding the student a minor in molecular biology. All of the courses have laboratories that are hands-on, technique intensive and will benefit by having the additional technology of the genetic analysis system. The department offers courses and programs that apply information technology for analyzing biological data such as DNA and protein sequences.
Undergraduate
Student Research -All of our students are required to take Biology 490,
Undergraduate Research. The faculty advisors for this course have extensive
training in molecular biology. We can now offer our students the opportunity
to work in areas of genetic analysis that require rapid DNA sequencing.
The proposed research will expand knowledge on topics ranging from ecosystems
to human biology while training undergraduates and selected high school
students in proper research protocol using cutting edge technologies.
Dr. Ann Yezerski is using the Genome Center facilities to develop a new protocol for comparing the DNA profiles of twins. Preliminary results of these analyses have shown the potential to quantify the genetic differences between twins as a percent (as opposed to the "same" or "different", identical and fraternal respectively). These methods could help determine if half-identical twins exist.
We are also using the Genome Center facilities to research the genetic basis of dyslexia. Dr. Ann Yezerski in conjunction with Dr. Joan Coffin from the Neuroscience Program, are working to develop a method for the quick identification of two genetic mutations (called SNP's) that have been found to be associated with dyslexia. Once the method is perfected, families involved in Dr. Coffin's eyeblink conditioning studies on dyslexia will have their DNA analyzed to see how the presence of these mutations may correlate with difficulties with the eyeblink tests.
Community Outreach
The King's Science Department has a long history of community outreach.
In the past 17 years, it has offered 15 weeklong, summer workshops for
high school students. The topics for these workshops ranged from molecular
biology to environmental biotechnology to genomics. We will continue to
offer workshops focus on the human genome and DNA sequencing.
For more information please contact:
James Slock, Ph.D. Professor of Biology
jaslock@kings.edu
(570) 208-5900 ext. 5724