The National Science Foundation (Major Research Instrumentation Program) awarded Kathleen Pryer (PI, Botany) and co-PI's (Shannon Hackett, Zoology; François Lutzoni, Botany; Tim Krauskopf, Information Services; and Lee Weigt) the full amount requested for the acquisition of a high-capacity multiprocessor computer for phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data. Prior NSF-sponsored automated sequencer instrumentation awarded to the Museum's core molecular facility (1995-96) led to a remarkable increase in output of quality DNA sequence data that soon outstripped the Museum's fastest desktop PC's and UNIX servers in their capability for adequate data analysis. Determining phylogenetic relationships of large numbers of taxa is computationally very demanding. Most major users of the proposed instrumentation already have DNA sequence data sets in hand that are in excess of 100 taxa, often requiring many months of CPU time just for initial analyses. This NSF grant, in combination with a generous contribution from the Museum, will permit the acquisition of significant additional computing resources and has allowed us to hire a computational biologist, Jennifer Steinbachs, to provide technical support to Field Museum research scientists. The computing speed afforded by this high-performance computer will enhance research excellence and leadership, and will expand research training opportunities in molecular evolution and systematics.