Biotechnology Center Mission
The Biotechnology Center seeks to enhance the WKU academic environment through fostering interdisciplinary collaboration of faculty, and providing modern infrastructure, equipment, and training to its members and their students. The Center promotes successful acquisition of extramural funding and facilitates biotechnology-centered research and techniques to WKU students and faculty. The Center also supports outreach to the broader biotechnology community.
Some of the research techniques that can be done in the Biotechnology Center include:
- DNA Sequencing
- Real-time PCR (quantification of gene expression)
- Quantitative gel imaging (including chemiluminescence)
- Epifluorescence microscopy (both dissection and compound microscopes)
- Protein chemistry
- Tissue culture
The Biotechnology Center at Western Kentucky University was established to facilitate hands-on educational opportunities for Biology students via student-centered active learning and engagement with faculty.
Students have access to a wide variety of molecular biology instruments. Students use the equipment for both classes as well as mentored research with faculty from the Department of Biology and also the departments of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Agriculture and Food Science, and Exercise Science.
These experiences greatly enhance student competitiveness in regards to both employment opportunities as well as graduate and professional schools through acquisition of both technical and cognitive skills that enable them to be competitive in a global community.
- DNA Sequencing
- Real-time PCR (quantification of gene expression)
- Quantitative gel imaging (including chemiluminescence)
- Epifluorescence microscopy (both dissection and compound microscopes)
- Biosafety Level 2 research (i.e., pathogenic organisms)
- Protein chemistry
- Tissue culture
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.