Marine Biological Laboratory: Not Just About Fish

November 14, 7:27 PMScience & Nature ExaminerKathryn Siranosian

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Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is located in Woods Hole on Cape Cod
K. Siranosian

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole was founded back in 1888, and still –a whopping 121 years later –it continues to thrive as a research institute at the cutting-edge of biological innovation.

But, don’t be fooled by the word “marine” in its name.

“We’re not just about fish,” Dr. Gary Borisy, Director and CEO of MBL, told about 70 Club members of the MIT Club of Cape Cod at their October meeting, held at MBL. “We’re about fundamental biology.”

To prove his point, Dr. Borisy outlined MBL’s storied past, which is linked to several biological research landmarks, including Thomas Hunt Morgan’s discovery of quantitative genetics, Albert Szent-Györgyi’s identification of vitamin C, and the first year-round program in eco-systems research, which was established at MBL in 1975.

Need even more convincing? Dr. Borisy also noted that 53 Nobel Laureates –including three from this year –have been students and/or faculty at MBL.

“We’re a leadership organization,” he stressed. “Our mission is leadership in biological research and education.”

Now an international center for research, education, and training in biology, biomedicine, and ecology, MBL has a year-round staff of more than 275 scientists and support staff working in fields such as cell and developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular evolution, global infectious disease, neurobiology, and sensory physiology. It is a private, non-profit institution.

This fall, multi-million dollar renovations --funded through a combination of private monies and MA state grants --are underway for new labs dedicated to the study of regenerative biology and medicine.

“Starfish can grow an arm back –why can’t we?” Dr. Borisey asked. Embryological similarities between humans and certain marine species that can regenerate body components make this particular field a “leadership niche” for MBL, he added.

What’s more, in what Dr. Borisy described as a “very significant step,” MBL, the Woods Hole Research Institute (WHRI) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) last year signed a memorandum of agreement, forming the “Woods Hole consortium.”

“We can synergize our efforts,” Dr. Borisy said. “What we can accomplish together is more important than each of us working independently.”

Dr. Borisy invited Club members to return to MBL for a tour, and he encouraged participation in the institution’s outreach programs, such as the Falmouth Forum Series, a series of lectures, performances, and presentations by MBL Associates (see details at http://www.mbl.edu/events/falmouthforum/index.html).

More information about MBL is available here.

A version of this story appeared first at the MIT Club of Cape Cod website.

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