Did you miss a Friday Evening Lecture last summer? Watch them here.
Mark Your Calendar!
November 4: "Feeding the World in the 21st Century; aquaculture sustainability and the role of the blue revolution" - Ron Zweig, World Bank - Sponsored by the MBL Scientific Aquaculture Program - Candle House 104/105, 12:15 PM
November 6 BPC Seminar Series - "Evolution of the mate recognition factor in a cryptic species complex" - Kristin Gribble, MBL - Candle House 104/105, Noon
November 6: SES Distinguished Scientist Seminar - "Biogeochemistry and molecular ecology of the marine nitrogen cycle" - Bess Ward, Princeton University - 3:00 PM, Speck Auditorium
November 6: Falmouth Forum Series - "Our Water Our World" - Deborah Cramer, author - 7:30 PM, Lillie Auditorium
November 17 Ecosystems Center Seminar - "Soil type modifies the impact of changing precipitation patterns on plant productivity and carbon and water exchange in Avena barbata grasslands" - Erika Sudderth, Brown University - 12:15 PM, Speck Auditorium
MBL researchers have published many papers on a wide variety of topics since LabNotes was last published... More>>>
Director's Message
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The MBL campus is bustling these days amid a flurry of construction and conferences, not to mention the usual output from our centers and labs.
We officially kicked off the source of the construction hubbub—the Loeb Laboratory renovation project—on August 31. The building’s internal infrastructure is being completely gutted to create a thoroughly modern facility for the MBL’s research-training programs... More>>>
Loeb Laboratory Groundbreaking
Senate President Therese Murray, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and key state officials gathered at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) on September 21 to break ground on a $25 million renovation of the MBL’s central research training facility, the Loeb Laboratory. This renovation will create 250 regional construction jobs over the next 15 months and will greatly enhance the MBL’s and the state’s ability to attract and retain top scientists... More>>>
Proto Eye Discovered in a Primitive Chordate: MBL scientists Enrico Nasi, Maria del Pilar Gomez and colleagues provide proof that two cell classes, Joseph cells and pigmented oscilli, are the bona fide primary photoreceptors in the nonvisual light-detecting system in the lancelet (Amphioxus).
Perfecting Algal Biodiesel: MBL visiting researcher Nagwa Mohammady searches for the best way to grow algae for fuel
Jerry Melillo, a key author of a major U.S. climate report featured in Time Magazine, CNN, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The Cape Cod Times, Bloomberg News, and MSNBC
2009 MBL Annual Fund Halfway to $1 Million Goal - Matching Funds Available
From October through December, the MBL Annual Fund is seeking to raise at least $500,000. These funds will help cover the cost of 2009 programs by supplementing other sources of income like tuition, grants and endowment income.
“The Annual Fund underpins our capacity to host the scientific programs that define our success,” says MBL Development Committee Chair, Jeff Pierce. “Many people who have benefited from the MBL, or who simply value its unique and influential position in the life sciences, contribute every year and their combined support has a significant impact.”
As an incentive this year, matching funds are available. Gifts from new or lapsed donors, or those who increase their 2008 gift by 20% or more, will qualify for the match.
MBL Gala Raises $30,000 to Support 2009 Students and Investigators.
On August 9, 2009, following a festive dinner on the Swope Terrace, the Tokyo String Quartet gave a nearly sold-out performance of Hayden, Berg, and Mendelssohn. The 2009 MBL Gala was sponsored by Shawmut Design and Construction, Tsoi Kobus and Associates, Hub International, and Falmouth Toyota and Scion. Thanks to our sponsors, table hosts, and preferred ticket buyers, the MBL raised $30,000 towards the MBL Annual Fund, which helps support MBL courses and research projects.
Gifts & Grants
The MBL has received a number of new gifts and peer-reviewed federal grants since LabNotes was last published... More>>>
Photos from the 2009 Whitman Reception:
MBL leadership donors, planned giving donors, and former trustees were honored at the annual Whitman Society reception on July 8th. The event was hosted by newly-elected trustee Saul Pannell and his wife Sally Currier, who graciously welcomed 150 guests to their Penzance Point home overlooking Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands.
Associates News
The 2009-2010 Falmouth Forum, sponsored by the MBL Associates, continues on Friday, November 6th with a talk by author Deborah Cramer, titled "Our Water Our World", which invites people to reconceive their ideas about the ocean.
The talk begins at 7:30 PM in Lillie Auditorium and is preceded by an optional buffet dinner at 6 PM at the MBL’s Swope Center. Find more information here.
MBL Gift Shop – November hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 AM to 2 PM. Come see our new colors in classic tees, both long and short sleeved as well as our new hooded sweatshirts for kids.
The Biological Bulletin
The August 2009 issue of The Biological Bulletin includes an editorial by Editor-in-Chief James L. Olds of the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study at George Mason University. The editorial, “A Plea for Basic Science,” explores ways to influence funding decision-makers of the importance of basic biological research. Read the full editorial here.
The Biological Bulletin thanks Olympus America Inc. and Sutter Instrument for advertising in this issue.
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Announcements & Accolades
Three of the 2009 Nobel Prize Laureates, Jack W. Szostak, Thomas A. Steitz, and Ada E. Yonath, have shared their expertise as faculty members or researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole. MBL Trustee Walter Massey was featured in Fortune Magazine's story on members of the McDonald’s Corporation board. His photo, taken in MBL’s Candle House Loft, was also featured in a Wall Street Journal article about his new role as Chairman of the Board at Bank of America.
Molly Jahn of the University of Wisconsin has been named Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture for Science, Education and Economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Jahn is a former student of the MBL's Microbial Diversity course.
The Society for Developmental Biology recognized the MBL Embryology course with a special award at the Society's 68th Annual Meeting in July 2009. The award was presented to the MBL for "its outstanding heritage of teaching generations of developmental biologists."
Senate President Therese Murray, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and key state officials gathered at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) on September 21 to break ground on a $25 million renovation of the MBL’s central research training facility, the Loeb Laboratory. This renovation will create 250 regional construction jobs over the next 15 months and will greatly enhance the MBL’s and the state’s ability to attract and retain top scientists... 
Proto Eye Discovered in a Primitive Chordate:
MBL Gala Raises $30,000 to Support 2009 Students and Investigators.
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