CES Autoclave

Our trusty autoclave has been with us through thick and thin, faithfully sterilizing everything from beakers to petri dishes for more years than we can count. It's supported countless experiments, endured the hustle of busy labs, and been the unsung hero behind many discoveries. But like any hardworking piece of equipment, it’s starting to show its age. While we appreciate a good vintage, it’s time to give our beloved autoclave the retirement it deserves!

In 2015, a freshman in our Introduction to Biology course (BIO 1210) picked a soil sample from Chesterfield, Michigan, as part of her work in the SEA PHAGES program. Over the semester, she isolated, characterized, and preserved a bacteriophage, a simple virus that infects bacteria, and named it Fred313.

Fred313 wasn’t just a class project. After a team of students worked together to map its genome, the results were published with undergraduate co-authors, including a Chemistry student who later returned to Detroit Mercy as a faculty member. Years later, Fred313 became part of groundbreaking research in phage therapy, a revolutionary approach to treating antibiotic-resistant infections. In 2022, this same bacteriophage, discovered by one of our students, was used to save a patient's life. It’s an incredible journey—from a Detroit Mercy classroom to the frontlines of medical treatment.

This pioneering work was only possible because of the guidance of caring faculty and access to equipment that supports student research. The autoclave plays a critical role in inquiry-based labs like SEA PHAGES, SEA GENES, and courses in bacterial genomics, cancer biology, and virology.

Upgrading this essential equipment will directly benefit our students, enhancing the quality of their research experiences. With a new autoclave, students will work with advanced, reliable equipment that mirrors professional lab settings, improving their research outcomes and better preparing them for careers in science and engineering.

Your support will help ensure our labs continue to be a place where discoveries like Fred313 can change the world. Gifts of all sizes will help us reach our goal and empower the next generation of scientists and innovators. Thank you for considering this important opportunity to support student research at Detroit Mercy.

You can make a one time gift or choose to make a larger gift over time by choosing the recurring gift option.

Donations by check can be made out to University of Detroit Mercy with CES-Autoclave in the memo line and sent to:

University Advancement
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols
Detroit, MI 48221