Administration

Communications

C-SC receives funding for DNA sequencer
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College has been awarded matching funds to acquire a DNA sequencer package for students’ use thanks to a $37,654 commitment from LI-COR Genomics Education Matching Funds (GEMF) program. College funding used to acquire the match was provided by a gift from the James O. Weldon family.

The package will allow students to conduct research that requires DNA sequencing of single stranded, double stranded or polymerase chain reaction products.

“Our community of learning is very grateful for this fund support that helps us to purchase this priority equipment,” said William L. Fox, college president. “Our EXP@CSC initiative will provide a 21st century education for C-SC students and this technology is an important tool for our science courses.”

“Culver-Stockton’s EXP curriculum is an ideal scenario for science students to gain valuable hands-on research experience as undergraduates,” added R. Joseph Dieker, dean of academic affairs and vice president of the college. “Acquisition of an automated DNA analyzer will greatly enhance our biology curriculum.”

“This GEMF award, coupled with the generous support from the Weldon family and from the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust and the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation will allow us to provide our science students with experience in cutting edge technology in the molecular and cellular sciences using state-of-the-art genomics and DNA sequencing equipment,” said Indiren Pillay, associate professor of biology and chair of the C-SC Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. “This will expose our students to more practical molecular and cellular biology, thereby providing opportunities for developing greater critical thinking skills in an active learning environment.”

The DNA sequencer should be installed on campus this fall.