Ultracentrifuge - Project Summary/Abstract: Portland State University (PSU) currently does not have a functional ultracentrifuge. Researchers and students from the Biology, Physics and Chemistry departments used aging Beckman L8-80M ultracentrifuges and old rotors (> 20 years old) until recently when the cooling system on the last functional ultracentrifuge failed and was determined not to be reparable. This failure has constrained research in multiple laboratories. Moreover, the age and fragility of previous ultracentrifuges meant that they were not able to be used for educational purposes. We have selected a Beckman-Coulter Optima XE-90 ultracentrifuge and rotors (SW41Ti, Vti-50.1 and Type 70Ti) that are optimal for the 7 activities proposed by 4 Major Users PI, Dr. K. Stedman and Drs. J. Nadeau, A. Thompson and J. Courcelle: Educational Activities: BI431: Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology Research Laboratory, PH490/590: Biophysics. BI338: Microbiology Techniques. Research Activities: Characterization of mutant forms of the hyperthermophilic virus SSV1 and characterization of virus-like particles formed by recombinantly expressed crucivirus capsid proteins, Proteomics of membrane proteins of bacteria exposed to microgravity, Isopycnic centrifugation of DNA after DNA repair. Stable isotope probing of RNA. In addition to these proposed activities, a new ultracentrifuge will enable multiple other users to perform biomedical research at PSU. A new, user-friendly, ultracentrifuge will allow PSU students to use this instrument, which will prepare them for future careers in biomedical research as well as stimulate the biomedical research of current researchers at Portland State University. For undergraduates, research is one of the main high-impact practices used to help promote academic excellence and improve retention and graduation rates. PSU is dedicated to serving minoritized populations and first-generation students.
