Ohio University researchers can now examine and analyze gene information on campus, as the ribbon was cut on a new research lab Friday in Porter Hall.
The new genomics facility opened officially with a new gene sequencer funded through a $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, though research has been going on in the facility for about a month.
The university provides the lab director's $42,000 salary and the space for the lab primarily through the Vice President for Research office.The idea of applying for an NSF grant grew out of the need for a new gene sequencer, said Sarah Wyatt, a professor in the Environmental Plant and Biology office, who co-wrote the grant proposal. OU did have a gene sequencer before the opening of the genomics facility, but it was smaller and in need of an upgrade.
I thought as long as we were going to upgrade things
we might as well try to upgrade the whole facility Wyatt said.
Thanks to the new facility, many researchers on campus will be able to do their work faster and at lower costs, said Vijayanand Nadella, the director of the Genomics Facility. One of Vision Ohio's, the university's strategic plan, goals is to selectively invest in research areas such as new technologies and energy and environment.
We're doing things here we couldn't before he said. Before this we had to either not do the tests
or send them out to (Ohio State) for analysis.
Genomics is the study and analysis of genes, which can have practical ramifications in areas from health to law-enforcement. Gene sequencing, one of the capabilities of the new lab, allows researchers to break down the basic encoded DNA information wrapped up in each gene.Once a gene has been sequenced, scientists can analyze the data from several different perspectives.
You can work out if there's a defect in the gene
Nadella said. This lets scientists work out which genes are responsible for diseases or birth defects.
The lab also has equipment to analyze and examine the resulting information. In addition to the research aspect, having the lab on campus will enable students to receive valuable training for their fields of study.
The lab really works in with a lot of my classes
said Trent Walke, a junior environmental and plant biology major. I'm learning a lot.
Though this was the official opening of the lab, the Genomics Facility has been conducting analysis for a month, and it is already having positive ramifications on research across campus.
Matt Whit, a biological science professor, is working on four separate projects in the lab, including one studying game fish.The work we're doing is already having an effect in places like West Virginia and Kentucky
he said. It's really great.
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