37th Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium

The annual symposium of Maine faculty and students conducting research in biological and biomedical science

Overview

The 37th Maine Biological and Biomedical Sciences Symposium will be held April 23-24, 2010 in the Maren/Dahlgren 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 scientists 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 will also be held.

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

The 37th MBMSS is supported by the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (Maine INBRE). Maine INBRE is supported by a grant from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health (P20-RR016463).

Abstract deadline - Friday, March 19, 2010
Pre-registration deadline - Friday, April 2, 2010

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Deadline: March 19, 2010

We are now accepting abstracts for short platform talks (12 min.) and poster presentations.  All Maine scientists, faculty, and students are invited to attend and participate in the Symposium. Any abstract in the biological and medical sciences is welcome. The following topics serve as a general framework into which some talks might be organized and outside speakers chosen:

• Genetics and Genomics
• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• General Biology - other research areas as determined by submitted abstracts such as evolution, ecology, marine biology, epigenetics, systems biology, physiology, etc.

In addition to invited speakers, speakers (including a mix of faculty and students) will also be selected from the submitted abstracts. Due to time constraints, we will probably not be able to accommodate everyone who would like to give a platform presentation.  We hope that anyone who can't be fit into the platform sessions will present during one of the poster sessions (see below).

The MBMSS is an excellent forum for young scientists or junior faculty to present and discuss their research. Students who participated in summer research in 2009 and students who will complete a thesis in 2010 are especially encouraged to submit an abstract.  Abstracts should follow the MBMSS formatting rules.

POSTER SESSION

The poster session is a highlight of the Symposium. It is a wonderful opportunity for one-on-one scientific interaction and networking. One or more poster sessions will be scheduled, depending on the number and quality of the submitted abstracts. 

Interested poster presenters should sumbit an abstract. A poster guide and instructions are available here. Posters should be no more than 50" wide, and most poster boards are vertical. Please see the formatting rules.

KEYNOTE

The keynote speaker will be Kevin Strange, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.  Dr. Strange was named MDIBL's first resident director in July 2009.  Dr. Strange is a comparative physiologist who utilizes C. elegans, a small roundworm or nematode, as a model organism to study the effects of osmotic stress on cells and their proteins.

PROGRAM

The final program will be posted on or before March 29, 2010. Please check back for updates.

Organizing Committee

David Barnes, Ph.D., MDI Biological Lab
Carol Bult, Ph.D., The Jackson Laboratory
Patsy Dickinson, Ph.D., Bowdoin College
Markus Frederich, Ph.D., University of New England
Keith Hutchison, Ph.D., The University of Maine
John Macauley, Ph.D., The Jackson Laboratory
Michael McKernan, MDI Biological Lab
Chris Petersen, Ph.D., College of the Atlantic
Rebecca Sommer, Ph.D., Bates College
Judy Stone, Ph.D., Colby College
Charlie Wray, Ph.D., MDI Biological Lab
Bonnie Wood, Ph.D., University of Maine Presque Isle

MBMSS Board of Directors

President - Amy Davidoff, Ph.D., University of New England
Vice President - Chris Petersen, Ph.D., College of the Atlantic
Treasurer - Judy Stone, Ph.D., Colby College
Secretary - Mary Schwanke, Ph.D., University of Maine – Farmington
Wendy Craig, Ph.D., Foundation for Blood Research
Patsy Dickinson, Ph.D., Bowdoin College
Paul Gregory, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection
Phil Haines, Dr.PH., Maine Center for Disease Control (ret.)
Patricia Hand, Ph.D., MDI Biological Laboratory
John Macauley, Ph.D., The Jackson Laboratory
Rebecca Sommer, Ph.D., Bates College
Rebecca Van Beneden, Ph.D., The University of Maine
John P. Wise, Sr., Ph.D., University of Southern Maine

Travel to MDIBL

Parking: Early arrivers may park roadside, along Old Bar Harbor Road. Parking is also available in lots adjacent to the conference facilities. Directional signs will indicate where to park.

Housing:

On campus: Limited student housing (free of charge) is available on a first-come, first-served basis, at the MDI Biological Laboratory. Email Judi Medlin to make a reservation.

Off campus: A discounted block of rooms has been reserved at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel. 207-288-5801. $99.00/night single or double occupancy.

Maine INBRE will cover registration fees and on-campus housing for all Maine undergraduate and graduate students who wish to attend MBMSS. Students may submit travel reimbursement requests, which will be fulfilled as funds are available.