Middle Georgia State University Faculty Secure NIH Grant for Advanced Genetic Analyzer

Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Monday, August 4, 2025 12:00 AM
Categories: Students | Pressroom | Honors/Awards | Faculty/Staff | School of Health and Natural Sciences

Macon, GA

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Middle Georgia State University’s Department of Natural Sciences has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to purchase a SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer, a state-of-the-art instrument that reads and analyzes DNA.

The new equipment will modernize and expand hands-on learning in Middle Georgia State's (MGA's) biology and allied health sciences courses, impacting about 600 undergraduate students each year. Students will gain experience with cutting-edge technology commonly used in biomedical research and diagnostics.

MGA’s Dr. Tyler Achatz, Dr. Donna Balding, Dr. Pushpa Yadav, and Dr. Otto Schwake, who worked on the NIH funding grant, will also use the analyzer to advance research in critical areas, including:

  • Tick and tick-borne illness surveys: Examining the DNA of ticks and the diseases they carry to identify pathogens present in the region.
  • Bacterial pathogenesis studies: Understanding how bacteria cause disease by studying their genetic makeup.
  • Environmental microbial pathogen monitoring: Detecting and tracking harmful microorganisms in soil, water, and other environmental samples.

“Receiving the NIH research grant is a tremendous milestone for our Natural Sciences faculty,” said Dr. Dawn Sherry, chair of the Natural Sciences department. “This support will strengthen our research infrastructure, expand opportunities for student and faculty collaboration, and advance the ability of Natural Sciences faculty to contribute meaningful discoveries to the scientific community."