After a brief summer hiatus, we are excited to announce the return of the virtual GMGI Science Hour series with a fantastic talk from Dr. Steve Palumbi!
Dr. Palumbi is a professor of Biology at Stanford’s Hopkin’s Marine Station in California, and will be joining us on Thursday, September 23rd to talk about his fascinating research on coral reefs – and what can be done to help protect them from climate change.
Join us on Thursday, May 27th at 7:15pm via Zoom to learn more about Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s hands-on training program that provides young adults with the skills needed to start a career in biotech. This is a webinar, so all you have to do is log in and listen – we wont be able to see or hear you (unless you submit a question for Q&A)!
If you’re curious about the Academy’s training program, or if you’re looking for information on how to apply and be part of the Class of 2022 – all are welcome! Hear from Academy instructors, learn the basics of the program, how to apply, get a virtual tour of the training laboratory, and ask questions during a live Q&A.
You can click here to register, or see the invitation below for details. Please reach out to Ashley Destino at ashley.destino@gmgi.org with any questions.
Join us on Thursday, May 27th at 7:15p via Zoom to learn more about Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s innovative, hands-on training program. Tune in to hear from Academy instructors, gain insight into program details, and information on how to apply! No need to have your camera on, all you have to do is log in and listen!
The Academy trains young adults to be entry-level lab technicians in just ten months – you can learn more about the program here.
Register for the information session via the link below, and reach out to ashley.destino@gmgi.org with any questions.
This month’s GMGI Science Hour (our final talk before a brief summer hiatus!) features Dr. Nadia Rosenthal, Scientific Director of The Jackson Laboratory. Our Science Hour Warm Upbelow gives a preview of Dr. Rosenthal’s talk, Exploring COVID-19 Host Genetics with Mice, where she discusses JAX’s new program to develop animal models of COVID-19 through humanizing their genetically diverse mouse strains to reflect different patient responses to the virus.
Dr. Rosenthal joins the Science Hour this Thursday, May 13 at 7:30pm. Haven’t registered yet? Click here to register!
Known as: A Molecular Biologist, and Scientific Director of the Jackson Laboratory
Based out of: Bar Harbor, Maine
What she does in 10 words or less: Studies genetic variation in mice to better understand human disease.
Why what she does is important to you: Dr. Rosenthal uses naturally occurring variation in the genetic code of different strains of mice to study the biology of aging and regenerative medicine. By using mice as models for the differences between individual people, Dr. Rosenthal and her team are able to investigate, for example, how our immune system can be influenced to improve tissue repair, including in the heart. The use of genetic engineering and targeted mutagenesis gives researchers like Nadia the ability to find methods for treatment of degenerative conditions that are usually considered incurable.
What you’ll learn from the talk: How the team at Jackson Laboratory, led by Dr. Rosenthal, is using genetically diverse mice to study susceptibility to SARS-Cov-2 and how mice can help us develop a new understanding of why COVID-19 affects people so differently.
Key Terms:
Genetically engineered – the artificial manipulation of genetic material (DNA) to modify an organism.
Degenerative disease – A disease in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs changes for the worse over time. For example, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer disease.
Regenerative medicine – Replacing tissue or organs that have been damaged by disease, trauma, or congenital issues with healthy tissue.
Targeted mutagenesis – Deliberate change in the genetic structure directed at a specific site on the chromosome.
Fun fact: Nadia is a trained artist, and designs cover art for the scientific journals she edits as well as the books she’s authored.
This event is for you if: You’re curious how genomics has played a role in the study of COVID-19, and how mice give scientists an incredible opportunity to research human disease.
When: Thursday, May 13th at 7:30pm on Zoom. Register here.
SPONSORS This Science Hour is generously sponsored by:
These monthly updates give us the opportunity to report on the wonderful progress being made across GMGI. We are grateful not only to have consistent and positive updates to share, but also for the engaged and supportive community that shares in our excitement.
This month, you can read about: the stellar Class of 2021 as they continue their internships; the addition of a new team member who will lead the biomanufacturing curriculum in the soon-to-be-completed lab space at the Academy; details on an exciting research collaboration with a neighbor across the harbor; and a sneak peak of some good news to come on sequencing the lobster genome!
Please continue to send us your thoughts, comments and feedback – this communication is valued and appreciated by all of us.
Chris Bolzan Executive Director
Photo credit: Ocean Alliance
Partnership with GMGI and Ocean Alliance Continues For the past three years, GMGI has been partnering with Ocean Alliance to study whale microbiomes to better understand whale health.
The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms that reside on or within tissues and bodily fluids. It plays a very important role in health and disease. Like humans and other mammals, whales are susceptible to infections in their lungs. Understanding the prevalence and severity of such infections is key to assessing individual and population health — as well as developing informed management plans. Since we can’t bring a whale to the doctor’s office, one way to assess their health is to collect their exhaled breath condensate (or blow) and to look at their lung microbiome.
Using Ocean Alliance’s non-invasive SnotBot® drone, we can safely and harmlessly collect a sample of whale blow. Extracting and sequencing the DNA in this sample provides a preview of the microorganisms inhabiting a whale’s respiratory tract, including those associated with a healthy microbiome and potential pathogens. Merging this with other visual markers of whale health, we are developing a means of remotely assessing the health of our most charismatic marine mammals. GMGI is excited to continue to expand this partnership. We look forward to another season of sampling with Ocean Alliance.
Introducing Stephen F. Anderson, the Academy’s Biomanufacturing Lead Teacher
We are thrilled to introduce Stephen F. Anderson, PhD as the newest member of the GMGI team.
A protein chemist with over 20 years of industry experience and a strong teaching background, Dr. Anderson joins GMGI as Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s Biomanufacturing Lead Teacher. He holds a B.S. in biochemistry from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University. Before getting started in Boston-area industry, he did postdoctoral work in mammalian transcription biology at Harvard Medical School.
After decades of experience running core protein production and analytical labs in both startups and Big Pharma — as well as supporting projects from discovery to manufacturing — Steve is looking forward to getting back to his teaching roots.
“Since leaving the academic track in 1999, I have missed the opportunities to make a difference in students’ lives,” Steve said. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to get back to it.” He sees a stark, but incredibly valuable, difference in the way Academy operates compared to the traditional college model. “In a university, the students spend years learning things they will never use in an entry-level position; this program gives students the basics and gets them into the workforce ASAP, benefitting them and their community.”
With the construction of the Academy’s new biomanufacturing learning environment fully underway, the addition of Steve’s skillset comes at an optimal time. The incoming Class of 2022 will be the first cohort to utilize the new space, and they will have Steve’s experience and knowledge to optimize the hands-on curriculum. “I’ve built up a lot of experience in bioprocessing and I feel that the time has come to share it with a new generation,” he said.
The Class of 2021 is in week eight of their internships – check out a few students in action, putting their newfound skills to use in the lab.
These monthly updates give us the opportunity to report on the wonderful progress being made across GMGI. We are grateful not only to have consistent and positive updates to share, but also for the engaged and supportive community that shares in our excitement.
This month, you can read about: the stellar Class of 2021 as they continue their internships; the addition of a new team member who will lead the biomanufacturing curriculum in the soon-to-be-completed lab space at the Academy; details on an exciting research collaboration with a neighbor across the harbor; and a sneak peak of some good news to come on sequencing the lobster genome!
Please continue to send us your thoughts, comments and feedback – this communication is valued and appreciated by all of us.
Chris Bolzan Executive DirectorPhoto credit: Ocean Alliance
Partnership with GMGI and Ocean Alliance Continues For the past three years, GMGI has been partnering with Ocean Alliance to study whale microbiomes to better understand whale health.
The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms that reside on or within tissues and bodily fluids. It plays a very important role in health and disease. Like humans and other mammals, whales are susceptible to infections in their lungs. Understanding the prevalence and severity of such infections is key to assessing individual and population health — as well as developing informed management plans. Since we can’t bring a whale to the doctor’s office, one way to assess their health is to collect their exhaled breath condensate (or blow) and to look at their lung microbiome.
Using Ocean Alliance’s non-invasive SnotBot® drone, we can safely and harmlessly collect a sample of whale blow. Extracting and sequencing the DNA in this sample provides a preview of the microorganisms inhabiting a whale’s respiratory tract, including those associated with a healthy microbiome and potential pathogens. Merging this with other visual markers of whale health, we are developing a means of remotely assessing the health of our most charismatic marine mammals. GMGI is excited to continue to expand this partnership. We look forward to another season of sampling with Ocean Alliance.Introducing Stephen F. Anderson, the Academy’s Biomanufacturing Lead Teacher
We are thrilled to introduce Stephen F. Anderson, PhD as the newest member of the GMGI team.
A protein chemist with over 20 years of industry experience and a strong teaching background, Dr. Anderson joins GMGI as Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s Biomanufacturing Lead Teacher. He holds a B.S. in biochemistry from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University. Before getting started in Boston-area industry, he did postdoctoral work in mammalian transcription biology at Harvard Medical School.
After decades of experience running core protein production and analytical labs in both startups and Big Pharma — as well as supporting projects from discovery to manufacturing — Steve is looking forward to getting back to his teaching roots.
“Since leaving the academic track in 1999, I have missed the opportunities to make a difference in students’ lives,” Steve said. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to get back to it.” He sees a stark, but incredibly valuable, difference in the way Academy operates compared to the traditional college model. “In a university, the students spend years learning things they will never use in an entry-level position; this program gives students the basics and gets them into the workforce ASAP, benefitting them and their community.”
With the construction of the Academy’s new biomanufacturing learning environment fully underway, the addition of Steve’s skillset comes at an optimal time. The incoming Class of 2022 will be the first cohort to utilize the new space, and they will have Steve’s experience and knowledge to optimize the hands-on curriculum. “I’ve built up a lot of experience in bioprocessing and I feel that the time has come to share it with a new generation,” he said.
The Class of 2021 is in week eight of their internships – check out a few students in action, putting their newfound skills to use in the lab.
GMGI Science Hour Talks Continue with Dr. Nadia Rosenthal Register now! On May 13th, Nadia Rosenthal, PhD delivers our final Science Hour before a short summer hiatus.
Dr. Rosenthal is the Scientific Director of The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor (ME), whose research focuses on regenerative medicine. She has recently begun a new program to develop animal models of COVID-19 through humanizing JAX’s genetically diverse mouse strains to reflect different patient responses to the virus. Dr. Rosenthal’s talk “Exploring COVID-19 host genetics with mice” is on Thursday, May 13th at 7:30p on Zoom. Click here to register.
GMGI Researcher Dylan Comb collects samples in Ipswich for an ongoing research project focusing on soft-shell clams.
Enrolling now: SummerSTEM and Academy Class of 2022 GMGI is currently enrolling for BOTH of our Education programs — the Biotechnology Certificate Program and our SummerSTEM program. If you are interested in joining our Class of 2022, please visit our website to learn more about how to apply. If you know a middle or high school student who would be interested in participating in our week-long SummerSTEM program, please click here to learn more about this exciting summer opportunity.
The GMGI Science Minute
Have you ever wondered what means to ‘sequence a genome’? GMGI Senior Research Associate Jennifer Polinski has been hard at work for the past few years creating the reference genome for the American Lobster, and is here to explain how it’s done.
This Thursday, April 29th, Dr. Mandë Holford joins the GMGI Science Hour to talk about her fascinating research on the power of venom. Dr. Holford and her team are working to harness the incredible power of venom into safe, effective drug therapies that benefit human health.
Please join us via Zoom this Thursday, March 4th to hear from Dr. Shirley Pomponi, research professor, ocean explorer, and part-time aquanaut, as she describes her experience living in the underwater laboratory Aquarius for nine days in 2019. Dr. Pomponi was selected to participate in one of NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO), testing out techniques and protocols for future space missions.
Today begins our new #TourTuesday series, where you’ll get a glimpse inside GMGI’s state-of-the-art research institute each Tuesday for the next few weeks. Let’s get started!
Some background: Affectionately known amongst staff as ‘417 Main’, the nearly 6,000sq ft space first opened in October of 2018 and is home to all of GMGI’s research and administration staff. The institute was built by @windover_construction and was made possible through a $2.7M grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.
First up, the largest and most centralized lab in the institute, the Molecular Biology Lab. This is where the majority of hands-on laboratory experiments take place, with specialized tasks happening in other, smaller lab areas. (You’ll see those in the coming weeks!) The Molecular Biology Lab supports desk space for GMGI’s research associates and lab technicians, and has designated bench space for up to 16 research staff – all with incredible views of Gloucester’s inner and outer harbor!
The Gloucester Biotechnology Academy is now accepting applications for the Class of 2022! The Academy, located in Blackburn Industrial Park, provides high school graduates with the training needed to begin a career in biotech. This innovative program pairs ten months of hands-on training in a state-of-the-art teaching lab with a paid, three-month internship at a biotech company or research institute in Boston, Cambridge or the North Shore.
Are you – or know someone who might be – interested in learning more? Visit our website or contact Education Director Dr. John Doyle at john.doyle@gmgi.org for more information.
GMGI’s free, virtual lecture series The GMGI Science Hour returns for the new year, and we are thrilled to kick off 2021 with Dr. Vincent Pieribone, Vice Chairman of OceanX!
Please join us on Thursday, January 21st at 7:30pm via Zoom to hear Dr. Pieribone discuss the fascinating adventures of OceanX and what it means for the future of Ocean Science. Registration is required — register today! A live Q&A session will be held after Dr. Pieribone’s talk, and will be moderated by GMGI’s Donald G. Comb Science Director, Dr. Andrea Bodnar.
Virtual Open House alert
