Award Abstract #0115985
Acquisition of an Automated Sequencer

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 28, 2001
Latest Amendment Date:	July 25, 2005
Award Number:	0115985
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Richard M. McCourt DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2001
Expires:	August 31, 2006 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$149800
Investigator(s):	John La Duke john_laduke@und.nodak.edu (Principal Investigator) Siegfried Detke (Co-Principal Investigator) Kevin Young (Co-Principal Investigator) Christopher Austin (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of North Dakota Main Campus University Station Grand Forks, ND 58202 701/777-4278
NSF Program(s):	EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES, MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9184, 9150, 1228
Program Element Code(s):	9150, 1189

ABSTRACT

Abstract for NSF Proposal 0115985 to Dr. John La Duke

A grant has been awarded to Dr. John La Duke at the University of North Dakota to purchase a Genetic Analyzer. The major function of this instrument is to gather DNA data and analyze these sequences or fragments. This is a "state-of-the-art" instrument that will position researchers very positively for the future in the area of DNA methodology.

There are four primary researchers on this project. Their research can be divided into two main areas. Two of these faculty, Austin and La Duke, are interested in phylogenetic/evolutionary questions. La Duke is examining the relationships of the species in the plant family Malvaceae. This family includes cotton and Hibiscus. Austin is interested in the relationships and distribution patterns of Pacific Island lizards. The other faculty, Detke and Young, are interested understanding the linkage of DNA sequences to biochemical pathways. Detke is interested in a protein from the parasite Leishmania that that may have implications in diseases caused by the parasite. Young is interested in proteins associated with bacterial cell walls and associated biosynthetic pathways. Each of the scientists has a history of training students at all levels and is passionate about research.

The addition of this instrument will significantly enhance the research and training capabilities of the University of North Dakota. The impact of this instrument on the research programs of the Principal Investigators is only a small part of the potential impact this will have on: 1) training of students, 2) additional projects that can now be conceived, and 3) stimulating collaboration between researchers on the campus. . As the use and understanding of DNA data has become almost as standard as the microscope in biology, we believe it is essential for undergraduates to have training and exposure to the current technology in DNA data-gathering and analysis. It is expected that graduate students and faculty from both Biology and the Medical School will develop a closer interaction as a result of sharing this instrument.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Austin, C.C., I. Das and A. de Silva..  "Higher-level molecular phylogenetic relationships of the endemic genus Lankascincus from Sri Lanka based on nuclear DNA sequences,"  The Herpetology of Sri Lanka: Current Research.,  v.5,  2004,  p. 11.

Bell JA, NJ Mickelson, and JA Vaughan.  "West Nile virus in host-seeking mosquitoes within a residential neighborhood in Grand Forks, North Dakota.,"  Vector-borne Zoon. Dis,  v.51,  2005,  p. 373.

Curran S.S., Tkach V.V., Overstreet R.M..  "A review of Polylekithum Arnold, 1934 and its familial affinities using morphological and molecular data, with description of Polylekithum catahoulensis sp. nov.,"  Acta Parasitologica,  v.51,  2006,  p. 238.

Fuerst, Greg and C. C. Austin.  "Population genetic structure of the Prairie Skink (Eumeces septentrionalis): nested clade analysis of post Pleistocene populations,"  Journal of Herpetology.,  v.38,  2004,  p. 257.

J. A. Tate, J. F. Aguilar, S. F. Wagstaff, J. C. La Duke, T. A. B. Slotta, B. B. Simpson.  "Phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Malveae (Malvaceae, subfamily Malvoideae) as inferred from ITS sequence data,"  American Journal of Botany,  v.92,  2005,  p. 584.

Olson P.D., Cribb T.H., Tkach V.V., Bray R.A., Littlewood D.T.J..  "Phylogeny and classification of the Digenea (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda).,"  International Journal for Parasitology,  v.33,  2003,  p. 733.

Olson, P.D. and Tkach, V.V..  "Advances and trends in the molecular systematics of the parasitic Platyhelminthes.,"  Advances in Parasitology,  v.60,  2005,  p. 165.

Tkach V. V., Littlewood D. T. J., Olson P. D., Kinsella J.M., Swiderski Z.  "Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Microphalloidea Ward, 1901 (Trematoda: Digenea).,"  Systematic Parasitology,,  v.56,  2003,  p. 1.

Tkach, V.V., Kuzmin, Y. and Pulis, E.E.  "Rhabdias bakeri sp. n. from lungs of wood frog, Rana sylvatica, in North America: the last sibling of Rhabdias ranae?,"  Journal of Parasitology,  v.92,  2006,  p. 631.


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