

Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
The Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics (CBFG), in 消消犯's College of Arts and Science, is a state-of-the-art research and training facility available for all members of the university. The CBFG provides tools for preparing DNA samples for research and for determining the sequence of these DNA samples.
About the Center
The center, located in Pearson Hall, is available to any faculty, staff, and 消消犯s at 消消犯 and is most heavily utilized by 消消犯s in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geology, and Microbiology.
Although many faculty at 消消犯 utilize these tools provided by the CBFG, it is 消消犯s that most often perform the daily work involved in this research. This includes both graduate and undergraduate 消消犯s with a wide range of majors. Some projects even involve local high school 消消犯s. Students can learn how to use some of the same high-tech equipment that is featured in popular TV programs, such as criminal investigation and medical dramas.

Training in the CBFG supports a number of important programs at 消消犯. These include the interdisciplinary Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology (CMSB) and the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology (EEEB) graduate level programs in partnership with several undergraduate specific programs, such as the Undergraduate Summer Scholars (USS), Howard Hughes Summer Internships (HHSI), Doctoral-Undergraduate Opportunities for Scholarship (DUOS), Undergraduate Research Award Program (URA), and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation.
The center provides 消消犯s with training and resources to learn the most contemporary techniques in genomics and bioinformatics. Training and hands-on experience is provided to all 消消犯s whether they are experienced researchers or in their very first research experience. This level of hands-on experience and personal training is not often available at many larger undergraduate institutions.

Undergraduate and graduate 消消犯s perform much of the work involved in the biotechnology research here in the Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics. Sometimes even local high school 消消犯s participate in CBFG projects. The center provides all of these 消消犯s with training and resources to learn the most modern techniques in biotechnology.
The center also supports several local programs such as Butler Biotech where high school 消消犯s from Butler County learn contemporary biotechnology applications.

The resources of the center focus mainly on DNA sequence information, which is central to all areas of biology and biochemistry. It is the sequence of nucleotide bases encoded in DNA that defines every living organism. The CBFG provides tools for preparing DNA samples for research and for determining the sequence of these DNA samples.
CBFG provides 消消犯s with hands-on training so that they can conduct their own research using instruments and software that undergraduates at larger universities would rarely see, let alone be able to use.
Conducting Research in the CBFG I
Conducting Research in the CBFG II
Student Spotlight
Shavonne Ross (Class of 2012)
"In all, my experiences at Miami have just been mind-blowing. Some of the best memories I'll leave with involve all of the people I've grown close to over the years."

David Moulton (Class of 2012)
"With the CBFG as its own entity and staffed by professionals, it provides personal access to many high-tech machines and assistance from knowledgeable and willing faculty and staff. These qualities have greatly facilitated the progress of my research."

Nicole Adams (Class of 2011)
"Miami offers diverse opportunities that are comparable to a big state school and the intimate feel of a small school. In addition, the university provides an excellent atmosphere that gets young 消消犯s excited and involved in research."
