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Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics (CBFG)
Conducting Research in the CBFG
(with Dr. John Hawes, March 2009)
A full text transcript of the video is available below.
Text Transcript
(This video shows students conducting research in the CBFG.)
[John Hawes:]
Hi. My name is John Hawes and I direct Miami's Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics.
[Narrator:]
Bioinformatics uses computer technology to analyze biological data such as DNA or protein sequences. Genomics focuses on large DNA sequences for things like genetic mapping. These exciting research fields have many practical applications including DNA testing and disease diagnosis and treatment.
Faculty and students from botany, biochemistry, chemistry, geology, microbiology, and zoology use our facility. What sets us apart is that our undergraduate and graduate students perform most of the work that takes place here.
We provide training and hands-on experience to any student whether they are experienced researchers or conducting their very first research project. In fact, some local high school students have conducted their own genomic research projects at CBFG.
The core activity of the center is to analyze DNA sequences. We have all of the resources necessary to prepare high-quality DNA samples and to analyze one sample at a time or hundreds of samples at once.
One of our newest pieces of equipment is commonly used in forensic science laboratories and was even featured in popular television programs. The center has a fully automated robotic system that can be programmed to process very large sets of samples.
We also have instruments that allow us to analyze the quantity and purity of DNA ... even when we only have a small sample. Other resources are also available for gene expression and protein analysis research. Interpretation of some results can be very complex; so we provide training and consultation in these areas as well.
[John Hawes:]
If you'd like to do research in this exciting field, then Miami University is a great choice. As an undergraduate, you'll have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art instrumentation, working alongside graduate students and faculty in the Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics.