Access to Biomedical Electronic Scientific Informatics (ABESI) Project
One way of supporting biomedical research in Puerto Rico is to create a network that enables research institutions to coordinate and share resources such as journals, citations, reference databases, books, interlibrary loans, spot purchasing, and alert services. The ABESI project is making these resources available to researchers via the Internet by providing research institutions with greater bandwidth (improved and faster networking) and better search engines. In addition, researchers and librarians are provided literacy upgrade opportunities and data management software training.
The goals of ABESI include facilitating communication among Puerto Rico’s research institutions and researchers; sharing available resources; and improving online holdings.
Director of the project, Thomas Sulikowski, Ph.D., professor of engineering at Universidad del Centro Caribe, says that networking has improved among Puerto Rico’s researchers. “One recent achievement of ABESI is an agreement with the UPR Medical Sciences Library by which all investigators in PR-AABRE institutions can obtain scientific articles in electronic format at a reduced cost. The articles can be obtained by requesting them via the Internet as an interlibrary loan and having them delivered by e-mail to the address specified by the user.
“Serving the needs and requirements of the investigators is only one of the many tasks and responsibilities that libraries have to face—that’s why networking is necessary.”
tsulik@uccaribe.edu
tsulik@prtc.net
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The DNA Sequencing and Multilocus Genotyping Facility
Projects currently utilizing this facility range from the genetic basis of intestinal regeneration in sea cucumbers to identifying environmental pathogens responsible for disease in corals. Located at UPR, RP, the facility houses core equipment for automated DNA sequencing and multilocus genotyping using single nucleotide polymorphims (SNPs), microsatellites, and amplified length fragment polymorphisms (AFLPS). In–house equipment includes a MegaBACE 1000 for sequencing and SNP analysis; a Li-Cor NEN Global DNA Analyzer and Odyssey Infrared Imaging System for microsatellite and AFLP analysis; and about $60 thousand in accessory equipment for general molecular genetic work. The facility is designed to provide students and researchers in Puerto Rico with access to state-of-the-art equipment and training to obtain, archive, and analyze DNA sequence and multi-locus genotype data.
“In the post-genomic era, competitive biological research relies on techniques that utilize automated DNA technology to study: 1) how genes are packaged, processed, expressed, and modified within an organism, 2) how genetic variation is distributed both spatially and temporally, and 3) associations between particular genetic variants and complex traits. We need a well functioning core genomic facility in PR to attract competitive researchers to our Island and to train competitive graduate and undergraduate students in modern molecular genetic research,” says Owen McMillan, Ph.D., Department of Biology and director of the DNA Sequencing and Multilocus Genotyping Facility.
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UPR, RP Proteomics Facility
Proteomics, the study of the structures and functions proteins, is even more complicated than genomics because the proteome differs from cell to cell and is constantly changing via its biochemical interactions with the genome and the environment. One organism will have radically different protein expression in different parts of its body, in different stages of its life cycle, and under different environmental conditions. The proteome of an organism is all the proteins of that organism throughout its life cycle. The proteome of a cell type is all of the proteins found in that cell type under a specific type of stimulation.
“Proteins that go wrong can interfere with the normal functioning of neurons and are typical in Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Furthermore, problems with protein-to-protein interactions can lead to cancer, heart failure, susceptibility to infection and immune system disorders. The field of proteomics is the new frontier for molecular biology and medicine. Breakthroughs in understanding proteins promise to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of many human diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders,” says Carlos González, Ph.D., Department of Biology at UPR, RP and director of the UPR, RP Proteomics Facility.
The equipment in the facility, located in the Department of Biology, allows the investigators and their laboratory personnel to carry out any aspect of a proteomics research project, from the initial characterization stage through cloning, mutagenesis, and expression of a particular protein.
cgonzale@cnnet.upr.edu
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