The Andrews University Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry have been awarded several instruments for protein purification and analysis by the Department of Defense Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institution Research and Education Program.

Pursuit of this funding opportunity was led by Department of Biology professor Peter Lyons, who serves as principal investigator for the department’s research on proteolytic enzyme activity.

Lyons is one of 98 university researchers across the United States chosen to receive an instrumentation award to enhance and develop their institution’s research and educational programs.

“The equipment needs addressed through this funding opportunity will enhance research by providing safe but technologically advanced systems for our undergraduate students to develop and fine tune research laboratory skills, while becoming proficient in research design, data collection and reporting,” says Lyons.

The awards are provided by the Department of Defense as opportunities for Minority Serving Institutions to aid in diversifying the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Higher Education Act defines minority serving institutions as “institutions of higher education (IHEs) that serve high concentrations of minority students who, historically, have been underrepresented in higher education.”

Andrews University has been designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) by meeting the criteria as set forth by the United States Department of Education for its services toward minority populations. The University also qualifies as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.

The instruments awarded include a Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) system (BioRad), a general-purpose Chromatography Refrigerator (Fisher Scientific), and a DiGit Duo system (LI-COR). Lyons explains the need for these instruments, sharing “Protein purification is presently done in our labs using gravity or centrifugation methods. While effective, these methods are slow and yield small amounts of product.”

Award funds have also enabled the purchase of a refrigerated centrifuge (Eppendorf) and a SpectraMax M5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader.

The new FPLC system will allow for efficient purification of a variety of proteins, including proteolytic enzymes. The Chromatography Refrigerator will be used to house the FPLC system and any related supplies and equipment.

The DiGit Duo system will be used for Western blot analysis, a common laboratory technique used to detect the presence of certain proteins within samples by separating them based on size and tagging them with antibodies. Former methods required the use of X-ray film in a darkroom, but the DiGit Duo system will allow for digitization of the blot process without the use of a darkroom.

Several classes will utilize the equipment for laboratory exercises and as part of course-based undergraduate research experiences, including Foundations of Biology, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry Lab. The instruments will also be used in two different biology research labs.

Lyons’ research lab will use the equipment in their study of proteolytic enzymes, which currently focuses on understanding mechanisms of protein folding and functions of carboxypeptidase enzymes in digestion, neuropeptide processing, and fungal growth and development.

The second research laboratory is that of Brian Y. Y. Wong, who is studying traditional the Chinese medicinal herbs Scutellaria barbata and Oldenlandia diffusa and their effects on cancer cell growth.

The original article was published on the Andrews University news site.