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Functional Genomics at MDIBL
Honors 350: Functional Genomics of Membrane Transport
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory Honors Seminar
I went to MDIBL for the
research experience in a very comfortable atmosphere. I also knew
that I would get to meet and interact with several world-renowned experts in
molecular biology and genomics as well as learn cutting edge lab techniques in
an immersive environment. I got my honors tutorial completed, and learned
new genomics skills that I can apply in my other science courses.
-Seth Robertson '06
Now entering its fifth year, the Honors College's collaboration with the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor allows our students to get practical laboratory experience while fulfilling their tutorial requirement in a two-week intensive program occurring over spring break. This opportunity is made possible through our participation in a National Institutes of Health IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (formerly Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network) grant collaboration that includes MDIBL, UMaine, and five other institutions from around the state.
The participants spend two weeks immersed in their studies; eating, sleeping, attending classes, and working in the lab while most of their classmates are enjoying a somewhat more leisurely time away from campus. Seth Robertson '06 a microbiology major from Woodland, ME, described his experience as a “chance to speak with international experts in genomics and cell biology in a very comfortable and familiar honors environment.” Seth, Alia Whitehead '06 (microbiology, Essex, VT), and Laura Dowd '06 (biology, North Reading, MA) were among the 12 UMaine students who took part in the seminar this past year, giving up their mid-semester break in return for a great experience at a nationally-recognized facility. The chance to do, in Alia's words, “real research, as opposed to cookie cutter experiments that you do in class where everyone knows what is supposed to happen” is one of the reasons she took on the challenge of this opportunity.
The participants studied cystic fibro-sis employing a number of cutting-edge methodologies and techniques. “My small group studied the effects that arsenic, 4-PBA (an FDA approved drug), and low temperatures, had on cell growth in comparison to a control assay. The researcher that we worked with, Dr. [Denry] Sato, even requested our group's data for use in next year's genomics course,” recalls Seth. The research done by our students at MDIBL has important implications. Laura puts their work in perspective. “By testing different compounds by themselves or in combination will hopefully lead to easing the effects of cystic fibrosis. Because the disease is genetic not a lot can be done in the lab with that, but trying to study the effects can help find a way to make life easier for CF patients.”
Through the continuation of the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant, we will be able to offer this opportunity for our students through 2009.
