Biology Facilities
Field Biology Laboratory
The field biology laboratory is not only a space for the continuing study of the flora and fauna of North Carolina, but is also a rich source of archival materials collected over many decades. The lab contains a collection of study skins and mounts of birds native to North Carolina, and a collection of bird nests from the Piedmont region. This laboratory houses two historical collections of bird eggs gathered in the 1800s, including the T. Gilbert Pearson egg collection. In addition, students have access to a herbarium of North Carolina plants, and reference collections of preserved reptiles, amphibians, and mammal skulls of species native to North Carolina and beyond.
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory
Students investigate various aspects of human physiology using computer-based software for recording electrocardiograms, electromyograms, and electroencephalograms. Advanced studies in neuroscience include the recording of individual neuronal action potentials. An associated laboratory for field studies in fisheries biology houses a complete array of equipment for the investigation of aquatic ecology, limnology, and ichthyology.
Microbial Genetics and Molecular Biology Facility
Standard and advanced equipment in the molecular biology and microbial genetics lab provide students with the tools for the study of the phylogenetic relationship between microbial organisms and the molecular analysis of signaling processes in nematodes. In their independent research projects, students utilize instrumentation for the growth of organisms under a variety of conditions, and the isolation, purification and quantification of genomic DNA. Students routinely utilize the techniques of PCR, Pulsed-field Gel electrophoresis, fluorescent microscopy, recombinant DNA technologies and RNAi. The department has two fully-equipped laboratories dedicated to independent, student research projects.
Forensic Biology Laboratory
The forensic biology laboratory supports advanced forensics students in Molecular Cell Biology and Forensic Anthropology. Students pursue the identification of drugs and toxins utilizing the gas chromatograph-mass spectrograph, which provides definitive identification of these substances. The laboratory is also where students investigate a variety of topics related to cause of death, e.g., identification of diatoms related to deaths by drowning, and skeletal damage due to ballistics, cutting and blunt force trauma. The highlight of the Forensic Anthropology course, the investigation of clandestine graves, utilizes the equipment and archival materials of the forensic biology lab for this capstone experience in forensics.
Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
Students utilize research-grade microscopes for the analysis of trace forensic evidence, and explore a variety of chemical methods for developing latent fingerprints. Forensic chemistry students employ the fully automated Shimadzu QP 2010 gas chromatography-mass spectrograph for the definitive identification of illegal drugs. Another major focus of the laboratory experience is the preparation of forensic DNA Profiles. After DNA extraction, forensic STR loci (including the CODIS loci) are amplified with the 9700 Thermocycler. Fluorescence detection of STR alleles is accomplished with one of the ABI 310 Genetic Analyzers. The ABI 7500 Real-Time PCR system is used to monitor DNA extraction from unusual forensic samples such as dentition. Computer-based GeneMapper software allows students to complete the construction of human DNA Profiles encompassing fifteen STR forensic markers.
