The United States Naval Academy (USNA) Chemistry Department has the need to support both research and project based learning in biochemistry. A key component of both aspects is the ability to conduct detailed macromolecular kinetic analyses with accuracy and precision at USNA. The Chemistry Department currently houses an antiquated UV-visible spectrophotometer with temperature controlling capabilities (acquired in 2003), and an out-of-service spectrofluorometer that has been rigged in-house for fast kinetic analyses (acquired 2001). The spectrophotometer is currently not functional as a multi-cell unit, which greatly increases the length of time required to collect data. The instrument also lacks the sensitivity and precision for required for data reproducibility. The spectrofluorometer is not light-sealed, which can be problematic during data collection. Further, the software required for using the spectrofluorometer is not currently compatible with operating system on USNA computers, thus rendering the instrument useless. Both instruments have reached the end of their lifetimes and are in need of replacement.

See Statement of Work for specifics.