Thursday, April 10, 2025
4/10/2025
Planetary Ball Mill with Cell Disruptor Capability - This proposal seeks acquisition of shared-use multi-functional, high-frequency specimen grinder, Planetary Ball Mill model PM200 with cell disruptor capability, for research in biomedical field. Biomedical research often needs utilization of mechanical forces to promote reactions, process plant materials, or disrupt cells. Many methods of processing raw plant materials and cell disruption are time consuming and use chemical compounds which contaminate specimens. In contrast, the proposed instrument offers very efficient, time-effective, chemicals-free specimen grinding and cell lysis. The proposed instrument and its accessories feature the most advanced, state- of-the-art technology of size reduction, sample disruption and mixing by utilizing the Coriolis forces, the complex interactions between frictional and impact forces. As a result, an extremely high degree of specimen size reduction is achieved in a very short time, with final crystal sizes below one micrometer. The broad, long-term objectives of the research with the proposed instrument cover the current and future biomedical research needs of the Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology at Morgan State University (MSU). The three main research avenues where this instrumentation will be very useful are: a) mechano-chemical synthesis of formulations for delayed release of synthetic antimetabolite drugs; b) extraction of phytochemicals with anti-cancer properties from plant material; c) disruption of cells for biochemistry and cell biology research. This instrumentation proposal will outfit Morgan State University with a state-of-the-art, multi- functional, universal shared-use scientific equipment, which will be highly beneficial to faculty and students pursuing biomedical research in areas of interest to NIH. One of the most important aspects of MSU, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), is the training of students in advanced areas of biomedical research. This instrument will support the operation of current and future major university- and school-wide programs in biomedical research and will contribute to building the research capacity of this institution. This instrumentation will significantly help in current efforts to achieve the major goal of MSU of obtaining a Carnegie R1 “very high research” classification in the next 10 years. Acquisition of this instrument will significantly benefit research by many faculty groups in STEM departments, enhance the capacity of MSU as an HBCU to participate in NIH funded research, and allow new collaborations. In summary, this shared-use multi-functional, high-frequency universal mechanical specimen grinder with cell disruptor capability will significantly help STEM departments of MSU conduct biomedical research and publish papers, initiate and conduct collaborations with on- and off-campus users, educate students through biomedical research, and seek NIH funding.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).