Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

Pharmacogenetics; pharmacogenomics; population genetics.

I am the director of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences' Pharmaceutical Genetics Laboratory (PGL). The role of the PGL is to provide extensive training and research support for a wide array of molecular genetic techniques to assist researchers in addressing a broad range of questions including gene expression, bioinformatics and genotyping. Students are encouraged to visit the PGL if they are interested in research opportunities in pharmacogenomics or pharmacogenetics. The laboratory has the necessary equipment and expertise to conduct a broad spectrum of techniques in molecular genetic biology including gene expression studies (mRNA Differential Display, northern analysis, microarrays, quantitative real-time PCR) and genotyping (RFLP’s, AFLP’s, ISSR’s, and SNP᾿s). In addition the PGL provides extensive education and training to not only university students and faculty, but also to outside researchers and professionals through a series of workshops and short courses in DNA microarray technology, statistical packages/programs for genetic analysis, microsatellite development and analysis, and molecular genetic methodologies for the pharmaceutical sciences. To aid students and faculty in their research the PGL has all the necessary equipment for the isolation, characterization and cloning of DNA/cDNA(mRNA) including three PCR thermocyclers and a Nanodrop ND-1000 Spectrophotometer for measuring DNA/RNA concentrations in small volumes (1 μl). For gene expression studies the laboratory has a separate room (165 sq ft), certified for isotope use with hybridization chambers, incubators, water baths, refrigerator, and centrifuge. The laboratory has a new Kodak large-format image analysis system (Kodak 2000MM Multimodal Imaging System). For scanning of microarray slides the lab has a GenePix 4000A (Axon Instruments). The lab also has an Mx3005P multiplex quantitative PCR system (Stratagene) for gene expression studies and high-throughput genotyping. The laboratory also has a Zeiss Axiovert 220 inverted microscope with DIC and fluorescent capabilities. Presently the Pharmaceutical Genetics Laboratory has 17 projects ongoing involving 16 principle investigators, 13 graduate students, 10 Pharm. D. students, and 5 undergraduates across 11 departments and 4 universities.

Kodak 2000MM Multimodal Imaging System

• An Mx3005P multiplex quantitative PCR system (Stratagene) for gene expression studies and high-throughput genotyping
• Zeiss Axiovert 220 inverted microscope with DIC and fluorescent capabilities, completely motorized
• Molecular Devices/Axon GenePix 4000A Microarray Scanner
• Beckman Coulter Optima TLX ultracentrifuge.
• Nanodrop ND-1000 Spectrophotometer for measuring DNA/RNA concentrations in small volumes (1 μl).
• Beckman Coulter benchtop ultracentrifuge
• For isotope use the laboratory has a separate room (165 sq ft) with a hybridization ovens, shaking incubators, water baths, refrigerator, and centrifuge.

SoftGenetics GeneMarker, R-statistical program, PHYLIP, Cluster/ScanAlyze/TreeView, AMOVA, Mathematica, Maple, MatLab, and a Kodak Digital Science Image Analysis software.

• Microarrays
• Real-time quantitative PCR
• Silencing RNA

http://pharmacy.buffalo.edu/psci.shtml