The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has awarded the State College of Florida Foundation a $2,000 grant to help replace biotechnology material lost in a power outage during Hurricane Irma.
ASBMB is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 12,000 members. Its mission is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology and to promote the understanding of the molecular nature of life processes. Founded in 1906, the Society is based in Rockville, Maryland and publishes the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Molecular & Cellular Proteomics and the Journal of Lipid Research.
Matt Thomas, director of the biotechnology program, applied for the grant after State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) lost power for three days in the aftermath of the hurricane. While there was no major structural damage or lost equipment, the power outage caused freezer stocks to be damaged or lost as temperatures in SCF’s sole minus 80 C freezer rose to room temperature. The grant will be used to help replace cells lines and other materials used in the cell culture class. The class gives students the hands-on opportunity to learn the basics of cell culture techniques, and to become proficient in them.
For information on setting up grants and scholarships for one of SCF’s programs, contact Barbara Bourgoin at bourgob@SCF.edu or 941-752-5398.
