Fifth Annual Grant Winners 2004-2005

Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D., HPD – College of Pharmacy

Dean William Hardigan, HPD – College of Pharmacy

Title: Standardization and Application of Real Time PCR Technique in Gene Expression Analysis

Abstract:

Relative gene expression analysis requires precise, powerful and cutting edge technology called Real Time PCR, that is being utilized today by many research laboratories around the world. Real Time PCR is a very sophisticated and powerful technique that can be applied in many areas of molecular biology and cancer research. Currently, the P.I is conducting a research project that is aimed at identifying cancer growth and metastasis related gene expressions. This study is being supported by a $100,000 external grant that was awarded to him through Center of Excellence (COE) for Biomedical Marine Biotechnology, established by Florida Atlantic University (FAU). As originally proposed, the P.I. need to analyze various gene expressions and their levels in cancer cells, in order to complete that research project and continue as a productive partner of the consortium. Currently, none of the research centers at NSU possess the Real Time PCR capability. Use of high throughput, Real Time PCR in P.I's research project would be highly helpful in analyzing the gene expression patterns more rapidly. While improving the efficiency of P.I's research laboratory, this instrument would be available for other faculty members of NSU, for using in their research projects. The Real Time PCR machine typically costs around $30,000, depending on the options included. The P.I. has allocated $15,000 from his COE grant for the purchase of a PCR machine. Awarding the PFSRD grant would enable the P.I combine the funds and purchase a Real Time PCR machine for his laboratory, with additional $5,000 coming from either the HPD or the College of Pharmacy. Acquisition of this highly sophisticated instrument would not only help the P.I., several other faculty members at NSU might be benefited from this new equipment. The results obtained from the Real Time PCR experiments would be presented at the AACR conference first and then at the IUBMB conference that is going to be held in Budapest, Hungary on July 2 - 7, 2005. More importantly, the generated data would be valuable in bringing additional external funding to NSU.