This course examines the roles of neuropeptides in modulation of simple behaviors such as feeding in mollusks. The distribution and quantification of common neuropeptides like FMRFamide and neuropeptide phenylalanine (NPF) in molluscan neural tissue will be examined with reference to their likely physiological functions in the animals. The first two weeks of the course are spent at Bates learning about the roles of neuropeptides in behavior and the techniques to be employed in the study (in situ hybridization, immuno-cytochemistry and RT-PCR). The two weeks at MDIBL are spent carrying out molecular localization and quantification of these peptides. The final week is spent back at Bates preparing for presentation of the results of the study.

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 19-20, 2009
Organizers: Dr. Jim Pestka, Michigan State Univ.; Dr. Vera Trainer, NOAA

The 2009 Gordon Research Conference on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins will be held at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, June 21-26, 2009. As in previous years, a satellite workshop will be convened at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove, Maine on the weekend prior to this important conference. For 2009, the workshop will be titled “Early Warning and Integrated Management of Natural Toxin Events”.

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

National Renal Fellows Course: Origins of Renal Physiology
Dates: September 5-12, 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

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Course in Comparative Physiology
Dates: September 12-19, 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.