MDI Biological Laboratory

🧬 Biologists! Get on the leading edge of development and regeneration with #ReBild, a two-week immersion in comparative #biology! 💫 Applications close July 8, so apply now: https://ow.ly/uUwo50RLB4y 🔬Learn from pioneering scientists such as Prayag Murawala, Ph.D., James Godwin, Ph.D., Iain Drummond, Ph.D., and many more. 🧫 Hands-on work in MDI Biological Laboratory's advanced facilities will be complemented by seminars, round-table discussions, informal dinners and other training opportunities. Course participants will be able to present their own research and network with other students. 🌊 Did we mention our campus is right next to Maine's #AcadiaNationalPark? #STEM #regenerativemedicine #stemcells #tissueengineering #celltherapy #hydra #planaria #spinymouse #africanturquoisekillifish #graduatestudents #maine

Long-time favorite course Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy is back at MDI Biological Laboratory this week, led by course director Dr. Simon Watkins, University of Pittsburgh. Students come from all over for a deep dive into every aspect of #fluorescence #imaging (and they get try out the latest microscopes, too). #QFM #ScientificResearch #MDIBL

Congratulations to Omodosala Adekeye (Drummond Lab) and Gabriela Johnson (Godwin Lab), award recipients at the 2024 Maine Research Symposium on Biomedical Science and Engineering, held recently at UMaine GSBSE. Both Ph.D. candidates, their posters were titled “Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type Q (Ptprq) is involved in the maintenance of glomerular filtration barrier integrity” and “Development of two mechanistically distinct transgenic in vivo axolotl cell-ablation systems at various life stages” respectively. #thefutureofscienceisnow #MDIBL #PhDcandidates #graduatestudents

Dear all, I rarely post anything but this deserves one. I am very happy to announce the publication of the first paper I have been involved in since the start of my PhD last October! Our paper delves on the role mononuclear myeloid cells in organ development. Focusing on nephron organoids, we study the dual effect of monocytes in preventing apoptosis of iPSCs and further promote differentiation of kidney organoids. I am very glad I started my PhD Program "Regenerative-Sciences" (PhD RegSci) Organoid project within Prof Haller's lab at Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (Germany) & MDI Biological Laboratory (Maine, USA). #Organoid #PhDResearch #ScientificPaper #Monocytes #Kidney #Germany #USA Abstract: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived kidney organoids are a promising model for studying disease mechanisms and renal development. Despite several protocols having been developed, further improvements are needed to overcome existing limitations and enable a wider application of this model. One of the approaches to improve the differentiation of renal organoids in vitro is to include in the system cell types important for kidney organogenesis in vivo, such as macrophages. Another approach could be to improve cell survival. Mesodermal lineage differentiation is the common initial step of the reported protocols. The glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity inhibitor, CHIR99021 (CHIR), is applied to induce mesodermal differentiation. It has been reported that CHIR simultaneously induces iPSCs apoptosis that can compromise cell differentiation. We thought to interfere with CHIR-induced apoptosis of iPSCs using rapamycin. Pecksen, E., Tkachuk, S., Schröder, C., Vives Enrich, M. et al. Monocytes prevent apoptosis of iPSCs and promote differentiation of kidney organoids. Stem Cell Res Ther 15, 132 (2024). https://lnkd.in/dDPyNZm2

So excited to share that MDIBL is hosting the upcoming African Turquoise Killifish (ATK) conference 2024 in October! Organized in collaboration with Chi-Kuo Hu (Dormant Biology Lab, Stony Brook University), this event promises to captivate attendees interested in the fascinating world of killifish. We welcome enthusiasts, researchers, and experts alike to join us for this hybrid experience. Our format allows for both in-person attendance at MDIBL and virtual participation via Zoom, ensuring that everyone can engage with the insightful lectures and discussions planned for this event. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eFkuN_ZU I look forward to welcoming everyone to MDIBL! 🐟🌊🐠

Tick Talk! MDI Biological Laboratory is hosting a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) workshop this week to study #tick borne diseases and integrated tick management. The workshop is led by the University of New Hampshire's Dr. Kelley Thomas and Dr. David Needle.

This Monday, May 13 join us online at 5 PM for MDI Science Café Coast Lines: Sea Level Rise and Collaboration on MDI. The #MountDesertIslandHistoricalSociety's Raney Bench and #SchoodicInstitute's Catherine Schmitt will share the latest on Landscape of Change, a collaborative effort to document and understand #climatechange on MDI. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gb_q-hfq

Students from University of Maine at Farmington and University of Maine at Machias were at MDI Biological Laboratory this week for the #INBRE supported course "Harnessing #Drosophila Genetics to Model Human Disease". Travis Carney, Ph.D., taught students how the fruit fly's long research history and quick life cycle make it a powerful model for a wide variety of biological processes, including development, morphogenesis, stem cell biology and cell differentiation.

This Saturday in Bangor, discover the captivating world of African turquoise #killifish! MDI Biological Laboratory's Anastasia Paulmann, M.D., will give a short and fast-paced introduction to this new model organism at the Maine Science Festival's 5 Minute Genius event at 7 PM at the Penobscot Theater Company.

Join us on Zoom next Monday at 5 PM for our May Science Café: 🌊 Coast Lines: Sea Level Rise and Collaboration on MDI 🌊 Hear from the Mount Desert Island Historical Society's Raney Bench and Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park's Catherine Schmitt as they share the latest on #LandscapeofChange, a collaborative effort to document and understand #climatechange on MDI. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gb_q-hfq