# Request fund to purchase equipment (the BioComp gradient primer) to supplement R15 GM139107-01

> **NIH NIH R15** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $39,267

## Abstract

Project Summary (Abstract):
We are applying for a supplement fund to purchase a BioComp gradient primer for
fractionating density gradients. This equipment is essential for the success of the parent
award as several proposed experiments, including polysome profiling, ribosome
profiling, and Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP), rely on this equipment
to receive consistent and reproducible results. We desperately need this equipment to
continue our investigation following equipment malfunction of our current system that
cannot be repaired (system age and non-availability of parts). Additionally, no other
laboratory at our institution has similar equipment we could share. Our talented
undergraduate and graduate students will use this equipment to address an exciting but
disputed question: does the functional specialization of ribosomes exist to support
selective translation? We focus on two paralogs of predicted large ribosomal subunit 27
(Rpl27) found in fission yeast. Although these paralogs have 90% amino acid similarity
and are highly conserved through much of eukaryotic evolution, their mutants
demonstrate distinct phenotypes. Our preliminary data suggest that they might be part
of heterogeneous ribosomes that regulate the translation of different mRNA transcripts.
Dissecting the functional differences between Rpl27 paralogs may provide valuable
insight into how ribosome protein paralogs potentially play a role in the heterogeneity of
ribosomes, inducing a conformational change that ultimately results in altered activity
and preference of mRNA transcripts accessible for translation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10582006
- **Project number:** 3R15GM139107-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ke Zhang Reid
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $39,267
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10582006

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10582006, Request fund to purchase equipment (the BioComp gradient primer) to supplement R15 GM139107-01 (3R15GM139107-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10582006. Licensed CC0.

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