Dominican University of California

This project will acquire a laser confocal microscope to be housed in the 35,000 square-foot Science Center. The goals are to: 1) broaden the scope and depth of current research topics; 2) augment student/faculty collaborative research; and 3) enhance the content of biology courses and expand student training by developing additional upper division courses in cell imaging. The confocal will be central to a new inquiry-based Cell Imaging Technology course and Stem Cell Technology course, designed to prepare students to advance into graduate school, in particular the MS in Biological Sciences offered in association with the Buck Institute for Age Research and BioMarin Pharmaceutical. A high-resolution spectral confocal microscope is necessary to both advance research and expand Dominican’s capability to provide students with the active learning experience needed to pursue advanced degrees and/or careers in biotechnology. The confocal microscope will foster unique learning experiences in many areas of science while strengthening Dominican’s capacity for collaborative research with the Bay Area’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. These partnerships create significant internship and employment opportunities to further enrich students’ learning experience.