Proposal

Narrative

This proposal seeks to request for the acquisition of diagnostic instruments required to support learning and research at our proposed clinical andrology and reproductive genetics lab at FAU Davie. The instruments will be for the sole use of graduate student research and undergraduate DIS students interested in reproductive genetics, andrology and clinical diagnostics for routine andrology tests in conjunction with the FAU Student Health Services at Davie. The department of Biological Sciences also run a professional continuing education program in Assisted Reproductive Technology which has graduated about 40 students so far in 3 semesters. This equipment acquisition can also be used for their teaching labs. We are proposing the acquisition of a Computer Aided Sperm Analyzer – LensHooke by Hamilton Thorne for use in routine automated semen analyses which can be deployed at the student testing center under the supervision of a licensed clinical andrologist and embryologist (primary applicant and adjunct faculty in Biology – Dr. Olumide Adenmosun). The other two equipment (Zoe and Nanodrop) will be used for clinical and research assessments of sperm DNA fragmentation studies and other molecular genetic studies. Our proposed clinical andrology and reproductive genetics lab at Davie (DW445) could draw more than 50 undergraduate DIS students on an annual basis who will be involved in projects centered on reproductive genetics and clinical andrology. Use of the sperm analyzer equipment can also aid in the routine diagnostic testing (semen analyses) of more than 100 patients referred from the student clinic at FAU Davie annually. This acquisition proposal request if granted will therefore advance the university’s 2015-2025 strategic plan that support scholarly activities on health and wellness research, and it will also bolster the capabilities of graduate/undergraduate research and inquiry through discovery and research experiences that promote scholarship and graduation.

Facilities

There are no facilities renovation or upgrade required for the acquisition of these research instruments.

Hardware Requirements

Zoe Fluorescent Cell Imager - $13,105 Nanodrop One Spectrophotometer - $10,540 LensHooke Sperm Analyzer - $12,000

Software Requirements

Software application packages will be bundled with Hardware.

Personnel Costs

Graduate students will be trained on the use of the equipment who will in turn train external researchers or DIS students who may be enrolled for various projects at the lab. There are no personnel costs associated with the acquisition.

Other Costs

Not applicable.

Timeline

There are no timelines for the use of these equipment as research projects and scientific publications will continually be spun-off from their continued availability and use.

Sustainability

As scientific publications are being generated from the use of these instruments, they create the potential for access to additional research grants for the lab that will keep the sustainability of projects being carried out. The sperm analyzer may also be available for clinical diagnostic use at the FAU Davie clinic – whereupon appropriate clinical approvals, nominal revenue can be generated from routine semen analyses tests – to fund lab supplies.

Resource Matching

Not applicable.

Implementing Organization

Clinical Andrology / Reproductive Genetics / Biology Continuing Education Lab at DW 445 - FAU Davie Campus (Program Manager: Dr. Olumide Adenmosun)