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| Location: |
Lisle, Illinois |
| Size: |
5,279 students |
| Science Majors: |
800 students |
| Website: |
www.ben.edu |
| GEMF Award Date: |
Spring 2006 |
|
| Birck Hall of Science
at Benedictine University |
About the Institution:
Benedictine University is a Catholic university in
the Benedictine tradition that provides a values-centered
liberal arts education enriched by excellence in science.
Benedictine has been recognized by U.S. Congress Office
of Technology and Assessment and the National Science
Foundation as being among the most productive schools
in the country for the rate graduates go on to earn
doctorates in science. Three Howard Hughes Medical
Institute grants were used to develop a successful
undergraduate research program. In the past 12 years,
the University has received grants from the National
Science Foundation for several projects supporting
curriculum development, science instrumentation and
research.
LI-COR® 4300 DNA Sequencer in the Curriculum:
“The LI-COR DNA analysis system is a central
part of our genomics core facility that is fully accessible
to undergraduate student researchers. From gel casting
and loading to image processing, the LI-COR platform
allows students hands-on experience in DNA fragment
analysis and sequencing that is transparent to the
technology that produced the genomics revolution. In
addition to teaching, the instrument has proven central
to our research in the areas of molecular genetics
and genomics. While the sequencing capabilities are
noteworthy, the LI-COR system has few peers in the
area of fragment analysis for DNA fingerprinting studies.” – Dr.
Preston R. Aldrich, Assistant Professor of Biology
Here's what students have to say...
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"As an undergraduate student
I really enjoyed having the opportunity to work
with the LI-COR 4300. I have valued this experience
because many undergraduates do not have the opportunity
to utilize this type of high throughput equipment.
It was not very difficult to begin using the 4300
software. The interface is straight forward and
it is not intimidating to load and run a gel. We
have managed to produce many great gel images thanks
to this machine." – Marco Colella, undergraduate
student researcher |
Here's what instructors have to say...
|
“During open
houses and recruiting events, the LI-COR 4300L
DNA Analysis System is always mentioned as one
of the cutting edge technologies that Benedictine
University has for both teaching and research. Both
prospective students and parents appreciate that
we introduce students to the current technologies
available, making them better prepared for science
careers and post baccalaureate education. ” – Dr.
Donald Taylor, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs |
 |
“Many of our current students
are interested in learning molecular genetics,
especially DNA sequencing, because they know of
its value and increasing application in biomedicine.
Exposure to this technology gives students an edge
in graduate and medical school.” - Preston
Aldrich, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
at Benedictine University |
List of Research Grants
- Aldrich, P.R., Greer, G.K. (2004 – 2008)
Genetic and biochemical variation of the invasive
tree Ailanthus altissima with special reference to
managing the threat to regeneration of oak forests
in the Northeast. USDA – Forest Service Research
Grant, $103,468
JOURNAL ARTICLES (Undergraduate co-authors)
- Aldrich, P.R., Briguglio, J., Kapadia, S., Morker,
M., Rawal, A., Huebner, C., Greer, G.K. (in prep)
Network architecture of the Ailanthus gene pool in
eastern U.S. cities.
POSTERS (Undergraduate co-authors)
- Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic
diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily
for the oak species. Science Open House, Benedictine
University, Lisle, IL.
- Aldrich, P. R.,
Asad Ahmed, Nazia Ayub, Joseph Briguglio, Shyam Kapadia,
Minesh Morker, Caitlin Ondracek,
Ankit Rawal, Abrar Salam, Cynthia Huebner,
and Gary Greer (2007) Genome
scans of adaptive diversity in U.S. populations of
the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima. Meeting of
the Botanical Society of America, Chicago, IL, 7-11
July 2007
- Rawal, A., S. Kapadia, M. Morker, and P. R. Aldrich
(2006) Genetic structure of eastern populations of
the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: A microsatellite
study. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the
Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet,
IL.
- Ayub, N., and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Cytochrome P450
variation in fragmented populations of the tropical
tree Symphonia globulifera. Meeting of the Associated
Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of
St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
- Aldrich, P. R., C. Ondracek, D. Shiao, A. Rawal,
S. Kapadia, S. Nasaruddin, K. Sokolowski, G. Greer,
and C. Huebner (2005) Molecular genetic variation
in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus
altissima (Simaroubaceae). Meeting of the Botanical
Society of America, Austin, TX.
PRESENTATIONS (Undergraduate co-authors)
- Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic
diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily
for the oak species. Tri-Beta Society, Benedictine
University, Lisle, IL.
- Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Network biology and the genetic
structure of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima.
ACCA Student Symposium on Invasive Species, November
11, 2008 at Benedictine University.
- Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic
diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily
for the oak species. American Chemical Society/Society
of Physics Students (ACS/SPS) Student Meeting, Benedictine
University, Lisle, IL.
- Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic
diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily
for the oak species. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine
University, Lisle, IL.
- Briguglio, J. and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Forest fragmentation
and genetic bottleneck effects on variation at the
cytochrome P450 multigene family in the tropical
tree Symphonia globulifera. Summer Research Symposium,
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
- Ondracek, C., and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Genetic
structure of eastern populations of the invasive
tree Ailanthus altissima: A survey of cytochrome
P450 variation. Meeting of the Associated Colleges
of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis,
Joliet, IL.
- Salam, A., A. Ahmed, and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Cytochrome
P450 variation in U.S. populations of the invasive
tree Ailanthus altissima”. Summer Research
Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
- Aldrich, P.R., and G Greer (2005) Genetics and
biochemical variation of US Ailanthus altissima populations:
a preliminary discussion of a research plan. 16th
USDA Interagency Research Forum on Gypsy Moth and
Other Invasive Species, Annapolis, MD.
Where we found our funds
Matching funds were provided through a Department
of Energy grant “Benedictine University Science
Lab Equipment Project to Upgrade Science Laboratory
Facilities and Establish a Center for Biophysics, Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology.”
Contact Information
Dr. Preston R. Aldrich
Department of Biological Sciences
Benedictine University
Birck Hall 341
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532-0900
Phone: 630-829-6519
Fax: 630-829-6547
Email: paldrich@ben.edu
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