A. Gillis agillis@mbl.edu
"Biodiversity: Exploring the Marine Diversity of Woods Hole Using Molecular Tools"
This course presents an overview of the diversity of living organisms, including archaea, bacteria, single-celled eukaryotes, fungi, plants, and animals, with an emphasis on their evolutionary histories, relationships, and the biological and evolutionary implications of the characteristic features of each group. We will explore how these different lineages have evolved remarkable solutions to challenges in locomotion, metabolism, and life in extreme environments. Work in the lab will take advantage of the diversity of organisms that live around, or are maintained at, The Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA.
K. Echeverri kecheverri@mbl.edu
"Stem Cells and Regeneration: From Aquatic Research Organisms to Mammals"
This course will focus on contemporary stem cell biology and regeneration with emphasis on molecular mechanisms and applications. The course will cover the history of stem cell discoveries through the latest advances, including genome-wide profiling, targeted gene editing, and other techniques used in stem cell and regeneration research. A portion of the course will consist of modules where specific stem cell types will be discussed together with relevant diseases they could impact (i.e. stem cells and neurodegeneration). A focus of the course will be around how discoveries in aquatic research organisms have driven the progress in regeneration biology. In this classroom and lab based course, students will have the opportunity to work on an independent research project under the supervision of a Resident Faculty at MBL. The lab portion of the course will introduce and provide hands-on experience on experimental approaches and techniques used in cell biology, development, and regeneration research. There will be a focus on microscopy (brightfield, fluorescence, high-resolution microscopy) and use of open source software to analyze images. There will be an introduction into the use of stains, antibodies, and genetically-encoded fluorescent markers to analyze cellular structures in aquatic organisms that include axolotls, nematostella, worms, cephlapods and zebrafish. In addition, this course will provide hands-on experience on molecular tools to generate DNA constructs and introduce the use of CRISPR as an important tool to knockdown gene function in genetic and non-genetic experimental systems.
L. Kerr lkerr@mbl.edu C. Wolff cwolff@mbl.edu
"Introduction to Imaging for Biological Research"
Imaging has been, and continues to be, a critical tool in biological research. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of imaging, but will quickly advance to discussing cutting edge advancements in the field. More importantly, the course will focus on hands-on opportunities to use state-of-the art microscopes, as well as provide an opportunity for students to design and execute an original research project which makes use of the skills gained during the course. Students will begin by building their own, simple microscopes, and then move on to learning how to use confocal and electron microscopes, as well as mastering techniques for fixed and live sample preparation. In addition, students will analyze the data they collect using several software tools. Lectures will be designed to introduce each topic, as well as highlight limitations and challenges in the field.
R. Hanlon rhanlon@mbl.edu
"Dynamic Camoflauge: Behavior, Visual Perception and Neural Skin Patterning in Cephalopods"
This course takes an integrative approach to understanding a neurally controlled system of dynamic defense against visual predators. Camouflage is a widespread form of defense throughout the animal kingdom in every known habitat - land or sea. In the oceans, cephalopods (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) have evolved a sophisticated sensorimotor system called Rapid Adaptive Coloration, which can instantaneously change their total body appearance within a fraction of a second to range from highly camouflaged to startlingly conspicuous for a wide range of behaviors. The forms and functions of this dynamic system will be teased apart in integrative fashion in a top-down approach from ecology to organismal biology to organs, tissues and cells. The course touches on neural anatomy, sensation, visual perception (including psychophysics) and animal behavior. There are also applied biology aspects of this system that will be presented as well.
J. Morgan jmorgan@mbl.edu J. Rosenthal jrosenthal@mbl.edu
"Fundamentals of Synapses"
In this course, students will learn about the fundamentals of synapses, from molecular analysis to structure and function. Marine and aquatic models have historically provided a unique opportunity to investigate synaptic function due to the large size of their neurons, including the synaptic connections. Today, these synapse models are used to study basic principles of neuron-to-neuron communication (synaptic transmission), as well as disease mechanisms. In addition to lectures and discussions of key literature, this course will feature hands-on laboratory-based exercises in molecular genetics, imaging and physiology of synapses, as well as independent "discovery" projects to explore new topics in synapse biology.
Z. Swartz zswartz@mbl.edu
How do animals make eggs, and how to eggs make animals? How will a changing climate affect these processes? Students will learn broad concepts in animal reproduction and development, with an emphasis on the marine invertebrates, the most diverse group of animals in the oceans. Topics will include oogenesis, meiosis, fertilization, early development, and germ line specification, covered through morning lectures and journal club discussions of primary research papers. We will approach these topics through a cell biological and gene regulatory lens. In the lab, we will primarily work with the bat star Patiria miniata, but also with local sea urchin species that we will collect locally from Vineyard Sound (weather and spawning season permitting). Students will learn essential cell biological and embryological techniques including gamete and embryo/larval culture, staining, microinjection, live imaging, and cutting-edge approaches in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Students will conduct independent embryology projects focusing on marine invertebrate reproduction and embryogenesis.
C. Geib claudiamgeib@gmail.com
Three decades ago, Carl Sagan wrote, “We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” This sentence still rings true today. There are many factors you could blame: the education system, U.S. politics, social media, misinformation, the TV news cycle, or increasingly siloed scientific fields. In reality, all of these factors play a role. Here’s another to add to the list: scientists are trained to explain their work to other scientists, but not to the public at large.
Simultaneously, most members of the public do not have the training to read and understand scientific research. Yet that does not mean the public lacks an interest in science. According to Pew Research polls, the majority of Americans are interested in learning about science, health, and technology. If scientists want to help this interested public look past misinformation, trust in research, and vote for science-based solutions, there’s one major thing they can do: learn how to communicate their science clearly and concisely, without the specialized jargon often found in scientists’ writing.
S. Himmelfarb serenahimmelfarb@gmail.com
Using a wide variety of traditional and experimental mediums, this foundational class is a hands on investigation of what an image can do and be. Readings from a range of fields, including poetry, dance, and anthropology will inform our discussions and studio practice over this 7 week course held at the Marine Biological Laboratory, in Woods Hole, MA. Many classes will take place at least partially outdoors, where we will forage for pigments, discuss observational methodologies, and gain experience with plein air image making. Student driven assignments will encourage interdisciplinary thinking and research in visual meaning making. Field trips to nearby natural resources and historic sites will ground the class in local ecosystems and histories, while slide lectures will help contextualize our conversations within the rich global understandings of visual language.