UMPI, UMFK students conduct research at MDIBL

By Stephanie Corriveau
Special to The Houlton Pioneer Times
    Mount Desert Island is well-known for its beautiful oceanic landscapes and for offering adventurous and exciting experiences to its visitors. During October break, students from the genetics classes of UMPI professor Dr. Bonnie Wood and UMFK professor Dr. Kim Borges traveled to Mount Desert Island for one of these exciting experiences, which happened to take place at a whole other level — a molecular level, in fact.
    The group — which included Dr. Wood, 10 of her students and eight UMFK students — attended a molecular biology research Techniques course at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratories [MDIBL].  The week-long course was paid for the students through funding from the Maine IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant. Because of the grant, undergraduates from various universities across the state are given the chance to work in a laboratory setting and learn about different research techniques. The grant also gives one student from each university the opportunity, through an application process, to have a summer internship at MDIBL.
    The night students arrived at MDIBL, Dr. Marcus Davis, a guest instructor from Kennesaw State University, gave a presentation that included background information on the experiment that students would perform during the week. He discussed how limbs have developed through time and noted that certain genes that control limb growth — called Homeobox or Hox genes — have similar DNA sequences in organisms that are evolutionarily related. Davis told the group that their research would examine the Hox genes of skates (a cartilaginous marine fish) and compare them to Hox genes from chickens.
    This research included multiple steps and the students were led through the process with the help of Dr. Randy Dahn and Dr. Denry Sato. Both men have done important work in the area of molecular biology: Dahn has worked at MDIBL for a year and has studied limb growth; Sato, a former investigator who worked at MDIBL for seven years, has done cancer research. According to students, the researchers were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and well-trained in the techniques and technologies that were used in the research experiment.
    The laboratories at MDIBL were well-equipped with some of these latest technologies. Kim Labbe, a biology/pre-med major from UMPI, commented, “The facilities are gorgeous.”
    The students were able to work with relatively new equipment. During the experiment, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine was used, which made copies of DNA segments from the Hox genes. The process also required the use of a DNA sequencing machine and gel electrophoresis (a method of separating large and small DNA pieces). The technology was used to perform the main goal of the experiment, which was in-situ hybridization. In-situ hybridization involved locating where the Hox genes were active in the developing chicken and skate embryos. Basically, students used DNA segments called probes that they knew corresponded to the DNA segments in the Hox genes. They exposed chicken and skate embryos to the probes and, with the assistance of additional solutions and the reactions of different chemicals, certain parts of the embryos fluoresced purple. The students could then conclude that the sections of the embryos’ bodies that turned purple were controlled by Hox genes.
    Wood said that it was a great experience for her students to be able to use these techniques and technologies.
    “Today, so much of biology is molecular biology. So many different fields use these techniques. It’s important to understand these procedures and to have experience performing them,” Wood said.
    Although the course involved a lot of work — sometimes the group worked in the lab until after 7 p.m. — there was still some time for recreational activities. For instance, on one afternoon the group went to Acadia National Park with Dahn and Sato. They got to explore the area and chat with each other. It was a wonderful opportunity for students from UMPI and UMFK to get to know each other.
    Overall, the course at MDIBL was successful and the students felt that it helped improve their lab skills and reinforced what they learned in class.
    Jonathan Stormer, an UMPI biology/pre-med major, said, “I feel, overall, more confident in lab and in using laboratory techniques effectively.”
    Nathalie Dupuis, Emily Bartlett (both UMPI biology/pre-med majors) and Andrew Albert (UMFK biology major/education minor) agreed that the “hands-on lab experience” will be beneficial in future coursework.
    “It helped me understand information we’ve covered (in class),” said Dupuis. The students weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the course.
    Wood said, “This [INBRE] grant goes on for five years. I definitely want to take my genetics class in two years. I am impressed at how competent my students are. They asked questions that show they understand. I’m so proud of my students. They really know what they’re doing.”
    Dahn and Sato both agreed that the students had a good understanding of the subject. Although putting the course together was a lot of work, they enjoyed instructing the group.
    “It helps us out if we know students came over vacation on their own will. It’s a lot of fun seeing students understand,” said Sato.
    Both instructors think that students should take the course because of the positive benefits that they could get from it.
    “Everybody should get a chance to see science in practice instead of science in theory. It’s important if you’re going into the medical field or biomedical research just to understand if you enjoy that work,” said Dahn.
    The students who attended the short course during October break would most likely agree. For one student, it was his third visit to MDIBL. Dan Sheffield, an UMPI professional biology major, said that other students should also take advantage of the research experiences at MDIBL to “see how science really works and that you don’t succeed right away.”
    If you are interested in taking a short course at MDIBL, visit www.mdibl.org/ or contact Wood or Borges, at their respective campuses.
    *Other course attendees included:  Shanae Armstrong (UMFK), Michael Best (UMPI), Kumiko Chow (UMFK), Stephanie Corriveau (UMPI), Heather Decotes (UMFK), Jodie Faucher (UMFK), Kerry Hafford (UMFK), Harrison Kilpatrick (UMPI), Jessica Kinney (UMPI), Sam Mathers (UMPI), Charles Michaud (UMFK) and Julie Trudel (UMFK).