INBRE short course open to undergraduates from College of the Atlantic and other Maine colleges. This is a hands-on laboratory course in molecular genetics, focusing on genomic DNA isolation, genomic library construction and amplification of molecular markers by polymerase chain reaction. Participants in the course will be introduced to a variety of molecular techniques that can be used to investigate population genetics of animal species. In particular, we plan to have students apply newly learned techniques to marine species, with an emphasis on shark and skate species.

36th Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium
Dates:April 17-18, 2009
Location: MDI Biological Laboratory Conference Center
Sponsors: Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (Maine INBRE), MDI Biological Laboratory, and The Jackson Laboratory

The 36th Maine Biological and Biomedical Sciences Symposium will be held April 17-18, 2009 in the Maren Auditorium and Dahlgren Hall Conference Center at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove, Maine. The Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium (MBMSS) is a state-wide gathering of researchers and students—an opportunity to share research results, exchange ideas, promote collaboration, and network with Maine scientists in a variety of disciplines. Invited and selected speakers will present short research reports, followed by question/answer and open discussion. A poster session and a special networking session for Maine junior faculty will also be held.

All Maine researchers, science faculty, graduate, undergraduate and high school students are cordially invited to attend.

Structure and Function of Polarized Epithelial Cells
Dates: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine--May 23-30, 2009
Yale University School of Medicine--June 6-13, 2009
Course Directors: Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. John N. Forrest, Jr.; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Ray Frizzell

Intensive one-week course in biomecial research protocols and techniques is open to first-year medical students from Yale University School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Four biomedical research topics are the focus of each course: 1) physiological studies of chloride transport in an intact epithelial organ from Squalus acanthias; 2) ion channel gene expression in a heterologous expression system (Xenopus oocytes); 3) studies in isolated tubule preparations, including immunocytochemistry of phosphorylated vs. non-phosphorylated co-transporters, tissue processing, confocal microscopy, Western blots, and antibody design; molecular biology of membrane proteins and transporters in shark salt gland, including methods in RNA, cDNA, PCR, cloning, and sequencing.

11th Annual Course in Quantitative Fluorescent Microscopy
Dates: May 30 - June 6, 2009
Faculty: Dr. Simon Watkins, Course Director, Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Dr. Anne Kenworthy, Vanderbilt University; Dr. David Piston, Vanderbilt University ; Dr. Claudette St. Croix, Univ. Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Sponsors: MDIBL, Support from various microscopy/imaging companies (listed here)

This one week, intensive microscopy course will cover all aspects of the technology from the principals of fluorescence imaging to multidimensional imaging in living cells. Lectures dealing with the theory, mechanics, and application of fluorescent imaging methods will be intermingled with extended laboratory practicals in which students will be encouraged to use their own specimens, to optimize the utility of the course. Our goal will be to provide students with the knowledge and expertise to implement cutting edge microscopic methods within their own laboratories. Registration deadline is April 1, 2009; rolling admissions in December, February, and April. Early registration is recommended--enrollment is limited to 32 students.

Satellite Workshop to the Gordon Conference on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins
Dates: June 18-20, 2009
Organizers: Dr. Jim Pestka, Michigan State Univ.; Dr. Vera Trainer, NOAA

The 2008 Gordon Research Conference on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins will be held at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. As in previous years, on the weekend prior to this important conference, we are organizing a satellite workshop titled “Novel Detection Methods for Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins for Research and Health Protection” to be held at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove, Maine.

The goal of this workshop is to advance the development of both laboratory and field portable detection methods for fungal and algal toxins by bringing together scientists from both disciplines to examine the application of new technologies and recent developments in detection methods and sensitivities for these toxins. The format for the workshop will be lectures in the mornings followed by “hands-on” workshops in the afternoons. Manufacturers and researchers will be demonstrating applications of existing products, as well as new methods in development or validation. Workshops will be conducted in a variety of immunoassay tests, surface plasmon resonance, lateral flow technology and and rapid diagnostics. This format provides an opportunity to both users and potential users in basic research and health related fields to view the most recent developments in mycotoxin and phycotoxin detection and quantitation in a relaxed and personable venue.

Mount Desert Island Stem Cell Symposium: Epigenetic Regulation of Stem Cells
Dates: August 7-8, 2009
Organizers: Dr. David Barnes, MDIBL; Dr. John N. Forrest, Jr., MDIBL; Dr. Barbara Knowles, A-STAR; Dr. Edward Benz, Dana Farber Cancer Inst. and MDIBL; Dr. Paul Collodi, Purdue University; Dr. Jonathan Epstein, U Pennsylvania SOM; Dr. John Macauley, TJL; Rajesh Rao, Yale Univ. SOM; Dr. Leonard Zon, HHMI and Harvard School of Medicine.
Sponsors: MDIBL, TJL

A joint symposium of MDIBL and The Jackson Laboratory.  This meeting will bring together some of the leading experts on epigenetics and stem cell regulation and will provide a forum for the efficient exchange of new ideas and directions.

Health and Colony Management of Laboratory Fish
Dates: August 24 - 28, 2009
Faculty: Dr. Paul Bowser, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Mike Kent and Dr. Jan Spitzbergen, Center for Fish Disease Research, Oregon State University.

A short course for principal investigators, technicians, or core managers who utilize or plan to utilize fish models in laboratory research. Topics covered include:

Fish Disease: identification, treatment & management
General training: anatomy, histology and necropsy techniques
Core management: water quality, facility considerations
Species covered: Zebrafish, Fundulus, Medaka, Elasmobranchs

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Course in Comparative Physiology
Dates: September 5-12, 2009
Course Directors : Dr. William C. Aird, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center/Harvard Medical School; Dr. Mark L. Zeidel, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center/Harvard Medical School
Sponsors: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School

This one week intensive course for junior medical residents at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is designed to engender an understanding of, and appreciation for major physiological mechanisms. The course will provide residents will an opportunity to conduct hands-on research using invertebrates and fish. Working in teams, they will generate, interpret and present data relevant to the hematologic and cardiovascular systems, as well as water homeostasis and salt secretion. Using a comparative approach, participants will gain an understanding of fundamental physiological processes that are common to humans.

National Renal Fellows Course: Origins of Renal Physiology
Dates: September 12-19, 2009
Course Directors : Dr. Mark L. Zeidel, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center/Harvard Medical School; Dr. Biff Forbush, Yale University School of Medicine; Dr. John N. Forrest, Jr., Yale University School of Medicine and MDIBL; Dr. Orson Moe, UT Southwestern Medical Center; and, Dr. Joseph Bonventre, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Endorsed by the American Society of Nephrology

A one-week national course open to renal fellows. Classical physiological experiments will be coupled to modern mechanistic studies:

• Water Homeostasis
  
• Collecting Duct Sodium Transport
  
• Distal Nephron Acid Secretion
  
• Glomerular Filtration
  
• Salt Secretion and Salt Balance
  
• Proximal Tubule Function

Other Short Courses, dates to be determined

• Colby College Workshop, January 2009
• Bowdoin College Short Course
• Bates College Short Course
• Environmental Health Sciences Symposium