Disruptions in nucleolar organization have been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, yet many of the biological mechanisms that govern this structure remain poorly understood. Spaulding’s research seeks to address these questions by examining how nucleolar organization varies across tissues and by using model organisms that enable scientists to observe cellular processes in living systems.

Support from Maine INBRE has played an important role in helping Spaulding establish her research program, acquire specialized equipment, and train early-career researchers. The new NIH funding will provide long-term stability as her lab continues investigating how cellular organization influences health and disease outcomes.

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Zebrafish are widely used in scientific research because they share many genetic similarities with humans and allow researchers to observe developmental and regenerative processes in real time. The expanded facility at 91���� is strengthening the university’s ability to contribute to global research efforts, while also providing hands-on learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.

Current projects in the lab focus on understanding muscle development, cell movement, and the genetic mechanisms that influence tissue repair and regeneration. These efforts have the potential to inform new approaches to treating human diseases and improving long-term health outcomes.

The lab also plays an important role in outreach and workforce development by engaging students, supporting collaborative research initiatives, and helping to attract future scientists to the field.

Read the full Bangor Daily News story to learn more about the lab’s impact and ongoing research:

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Understanding how the body repairs itself and why that ability declines with age is at the center of research led by Romain Madelaine, Ph.D., assistant professor at MDI Biological Laboratory. In a recent Q&A feature, Madelaine shares insights into how studying zebrafish regeneration may help scientists uncover new strategies to support human health.

Madelaine’s research focuses on the molecular signals that coordinate tissue repair and regeneration. Zebrafish have an extraordinary ability to regenerate organs such as the retina, heart, and spinal cord, making them a powerful model for understanding biological pathways that humans share but cannot fully activate. His laboratory investigates how hormonal signaling, vascular development, and neural processes work together as an interconnected system that supports successful regeneration in fish.

A key focus of the team’s work is understanding how regenerative capacity changes over time. Many of the mechanisms that support tissue repair in early life gradually decline with age. This contributes to muscle weakness, vision loss, and other age-related conditions. By studying hormones such as insulin and apelin, which help regulate stem cell activity, inflammation, and blood vessel growth, researchers aim to better understand how changes in signaling networks influence aging and tissue health.

The lab is also examining how communication between blood vessels and neural cells shapes regeneration. Findings suggest that this coordination may be essential for effective tissue repair and may help explain why regenerative processes weaken in aging mammals and in neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition to advancing scientific discovery, Madelaine emphasizes the importance of training future scientists. His team works with students at multiple levels, helping to build research capacity in regeneration biology and aging science.

By investigating how regenerative pathways function in zebrafish and how similar mechanisms operate in humans, this research supports long-term progress toward treating conditions such as macular degeneration and age-related muscle decline.

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Cameron Bains is a third-year biochemistry major in the Honors College at 91����. During the 2025 Winter break, she took part in the Honors tutorial course held at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL). This week-long course, The Molecular Mechanisms of Human Disease, offered a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research. It was led by 91���� professors Dr. Benjamin King and Dr. Karissa Tilbury. Dr. King and Dr. Tilbury are project leader and pilot project leader for the COBRE grant.

Cameron shared some highlights of the course:

I first learned about the course through fellow students in the Molecular and Biomedical Sciences (MBMS) department, who spoke highly of how it shaped their research paths. I also saw it advertised in the Honors College Weekly Newsletter, and I was drawn to it not only because it aligned with my academic interests, but also because it fulfilled an Honors College tutorial requirement. The course was structured into two modules, with the class split into two groups rotating between the modules. Each group presented their findings after both rotations, then selected one topic for further exploration.

In the first module, led by Dr. King, we investigated how environmental factors affect the innate immune system. Specifically, we examined how arsenic exposure influences immune response in zebrafish infected with Influenza. Using RNA-sequencing data from Dr. King’s lab, we applied bioinformatics tools—including RStudio, Ensembl, and GOrilla—to analyze the relationship between arsenic exposure and innate immune function. The second module, taught by Dr. Tilbury and Dr. Frederic Bonnet, focused on advanced microscopy techniques. We learned how to capture high-quality images and use image analysis software to extract quantitative data.

For my final project, I chose to dive deeper into microscopy—something I had never used in my research due to uncertainty about image analysis. Our group explored the concept of “reverse thinking” in microscopy, and with guidance from Dr. Bonnet, we used Fiji and Imaris to analyze existing images and generate meaningful data. After the course concluded, we presented our work at the University of Maine Student Symposium () and will be presenting at the Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium (), showcasing everything we learned about microscopy and imaging.
I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. The experience has strengthened both my technical skills and my confidence as a researcher. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to my ongoing work on polymicrobial infections and beyond. I’m especially excited to incorporate microscopy into my own research, now that I know how to generate high-quality images and use proper image analysis tools. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. King, Dr. Tilbury, Dr. Bonnet, the team, and the 91���� Honors College for making this experience possible

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NIH/NIGMS Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE grant P20GM144265) in Extracellular Regulation of Cellular Behavior 2025 Call for Pilot Projects.

Overview

This pilot project program will provide seed money for additional innovative research projects related to the theme of cellular signaling in response to extracellular cues. One Pilot project will be chosen for funding for one year. Pilot projects may be renewed through a competitive renewal process in the next year’s call for pilot projects. Funding of a pilot project will not exceed $70,000, project may be funded at lower level. In order to enhance the synergy between the COBRE grant and GSBSE, 91���� will provide a fully funded assistantship for one GSBSE student per pilot project. In addition, 91���� will waive tuition for all graduate students involved in pilot projects.

Eligibility

Investigators from 91���� and MDIBL will be eligible to apply. Projects involving early career faculty will be given highest priority.

• Eligible investigators must hold faculty appointment at 91���� or MDIBL
• 25% effort towards the pilot project is strongly encouraged, please include letter from department chair indicating effort is available
• Investigators with a RO1 or equivalent are not eligible
• Investigators will be asked to identify a mentor, include a letter of support from their mentor, and provide a mentoring plan

Criteria for funding through this program are:

• Pilot projects must be scientifically related to goals of this COBRE program or provide new technology or methodological development related to the imaging and data analysis core facility.
• Pilot projects will be collaborative, with a co-investigator structure to enhance scientific interaction.
• Pilot projects will have objectives that can be accomplished within one year, with defined and measurable milestones. Extension of pilot project funding may be considered, but will undergo a second review process that evaluates progress within the first year of funding.
• Budget for a one-year pilot project will not exceed $70,000 and may be less, depending on the scope of research.
• If projects utilize human subjects or vertebrate animals, prior appropriate training and institutional approvals through IRB or IACUC are required.
• Investigators are encouraged to use shared INBRE cores facilities and services at IDeA institutions in Maine https://maineinbre.org/research-resources/maine-regional-idea-shared-core-services-facilities/.

Evaluation

In addition to the standard overall evaluation that considers:

• Significance
• Innovation
• Investigator
• Approach
• Environment

Reviewers will use the above established review criteria for assessment:

• Relation to goals of this COBRE program or new technology or methodological development related to the imaging and data analysis core facility.
• Collaboration, with a co-investigator structure to enhance scientific interaction.
• Defined and measurable milestones including objectives that can be accomplished within one year.
• Prior appropriate training and institutional approvals through IRB or IACUC required for projects utilizing human subjects or vertebrate animals.

Key Dates

Due date extended to June 1, 2025

Please submit as single PDF document to umainecobre@maine.edu

Applications will be evaluated by the COBRE ERCB Steering Committee and considered for final approval by the COBRE – ERCB External Advisory Committee and NIGMS

Earliest Start Date Jul 1, 2025 **

Application Process

1. Project summary/abstract, relevance to health, list of key personnel
2. Detailed budget for the initial budget period
3. NIH-style biographical sketches for the PI, other key personnel, and the PI’s mentor 4. Facilities and other resources, equipment, and planned core facility use
4. Other Support (current and pending support)
5. Research Plan

Research Plan

• Specific Aims – 1 page
• Research plan (no more than 5 pages overall)
  • Significance – In addition to overall significance, include a description of the relevance of the proposed work to extracellular regulation of cell behavior
  • Innovation
  • Research Approach
  • Future Directions: Include a proposed plan for future funding. As the purpose of this pilot project grant is to promote career development and future funding, please clearly state the intended grant submissions.
• References (not included in the page limits for the research plan)
• Mentorship/career development plan (recommended, not more than 1 page) This is additional space for the investigators to carefully consider how the proposed research fits into their research goals, the mentoring needed for this to happen, and how they will obtain said mentoring.
• Human subjects if applicable (indicate IRB approval status)
• Vertebrate animals if applicable (indicate IACUC approval status)
• Biosafety/select agents if applicable (indicate IBC approval status)
• Letter from department chair: This letter should highlight the potential of the applicant for a successful career in biomedical research and detail the percent time available to be devoted to this project (ideally 25%).
• Letter from mentor: This letter should affirm the willingness of the mentor to meet with the mentee monthly and aid the mentee in their research program.
• Budget
  • May include support for research personnel, animal care, supplies, core services, publication costs, travel to one meeting a year, and other justifiable direct costs.

Progress Reports will be required in October 2026 and will include research progress, presentation, grant submission, and manuscripts submitted.

Awardees of the funds will be expected to:

• Participate in monthly COBRE professional development meetings
• Participate in a grant writing workshop
• Document monthly interaction with mentors
• Participate in weekly meetings with Clarissa Henry (COBRE PI)

** Disbursement of funds dependent upon receiving the Notice of Award for year 3 of the COBRE.

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On behalf of the Graduate Executive Committee, the Graduate School announced the recipients and alternates for the Janet Waldron Doctoral Research Fellowships and George Davis Chase Distinguished Research Assistantships for AY 2025-26.  Congratulations to all the recipients as well as all the outstanding graduate students who were nominated for these awards.  Two students supported by the COBRE grant were recognized:

Jordan Miner – Biomedical Engineering, received the Janet Waldron Doctoral Research Fellowship.  The Janet Waldron Doctoral Research Fellowship (JWDRF) is open to all doctoral students, regardless of discipline and is designed to stimulate research and scholarship at 91���� as measured by research productivity and doctoral-degree graduation rate.

Jordan Miner is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering in the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE) at the University of Maine. She is co-advised by Drs. Karissa Tilbury and Andre Khalil and her research is focused on breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer improves patient survival. However, how quick a tumor will progress is clinically very difficult to predict leading to the standard of care being a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Therefore, there is a need to develop cancer progression biomarkers to differentiate low- versus high-risk early-stage tumors. Cell surface receptors known as integrins play a crucial role in cancer cell migration. Her hypothesis is that by understanding which integrins are more active in breast cancer progression could lead to the development of novel biomarkers. To study this, Jordan has been developing 3D breast cancer models of cell lines at different stages of breast cancer progression and reducing the expression levels of key integrins to study their impact on cancer cell migration. Preliminary trials demonstrate promising results with at least one of the integrins studied thus far. “I am very excited to continue this research under the support of the Janet Waldron Doctoral Research Fellowship”, says Jordan. 

Jordan is in her second semester collaborating with her mentor and advisor Karissa Tilbury, Ph.D., on a COBRE Pilot Project: Determining the Role of α11β1 Collagen Binding Integrins in the Progression of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).  “The COBRE grant has been instrumental in my research project as well as my professional development. Not only has it provided financial support for myself and the supplies of the project, but it has also allowed me to take French courses to strengthen my application to continue my dissertation in Lyon, France this fall.” We wish Jordan the best on her pending applications to study at the Cancer Research Center of Lyon ().

Allie Conner – Microbiology, is a First alternate for the Chase Distinguished Research Assistantship. These awards are made on a competitive basis and involve nomination by the department of study and submission of a research proposal delineating the research to be undertaken.
Allie, a PhD student in Microbiology, is a member of the Wheeler lab, Microscopy and Image Analysis Core (MIAC) for the COBRE grant.  

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The Madelaine Lab is exploring the zebrafish’s self-healing powers. Can we apply them to humans?

Zebrafish have a superpower: the ability to regenerate damaged tissues—eyes included! Now, the research group of ., is making groundbreaking explorations of these regenerative feats, work that could lead to new approaches to disorders such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

“At a very basic level, we are trying to characterize the mechanisms of cellular regeneration,” Madelaine says. “How do we use comparative biology to make the regeneration of healthy tissue more available to humans?”

Read the story . And note that the Madelaine lab’s work on vision restoration is the subject of an upcoming , on January 13. You can register to participate .

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91����’s Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) has announced the 2024-25 academic year fellowship awardees. This year’s awards were supported by CUGR, Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Maine EPSCoR office (through an NSF award), EPIC program, and 91���� Space (through a Maine Space Grant Consortium [MSGC] award).

The CUGR Research and Creative Activities fellowships were developed to enhance and increase undergraduate student involvement in faculty-supervised research and are supported through the office of the Vice President for Research. Each fellowship provides $3,000 per student for costs associated with the project.

The 2024-25 Academic Year MSGC Undergraduate Research Fellowship awards help provide research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in aerospace technology, space science, human exploration and space development, Earth science and other science- or engineering-related fields. The focus of proposed projects funded by the fellowships must be aligned with the research priorities of NASA’s Earth and space science strategic enterprises. Selected projects will be awarded up to $3,000 each.

Among the awarded projects, 17 were led by COBRE faculty:

2024-25 Academic Year CUGR Research and Creative Activities Fellowship 

• Elaina Cote, Molecular and Cellular Biology, “Using Paralyzation Assays to Assess the Function of Periactive Zone Proteins at the Neuronal Synapse in C. elegans,” advised by Zhao Xuan
• Toby Dunne, Biochemistry, “Understanding GPCR Desensitization by Autophagy to Treat Chronic Conditions,” advised by Joshua Kelley
• Gabriella Giftos, Microbiology, “Examining the Role of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis in JC Polyomavirus Infection of Primary Kidney Cells,” advised by Melissa Maginnis
• Emily Hammond, Biomedical Engineering, “Optimizing 3D Breast Cancer Heterospheroid Production To Enhance Diagnostics And Instrument Testing,” advised by Karissa Tilbury

2024-25 Academic Year MSGC Research Experience

• Maddison Coffin, Biology, “Swimming in Protein: Mylpf Protein Helps Zebrafish Build Muscle Strength,” advised by Jared Talbot
• Angelina White, Biology, “What Cues Help Muscle-Forming Cells Migrate to Different Regions of The Body?,” advised by Jared Talbot

2024-25 Academic Year EPIC Research and Creative Activities Fellowships

• Ben Curtis, Biochemistry, “Validating a Novel Drug Screen and Candidate Drugs Against Influenza A Infection in Zebrafish,” advised by Benjamin King
• Myla Schneider, Biology, “The Evaluation of Paroxetine and Cetirizine Combination in JC Polyomavirus Infection,” advised by Melissa Maginnis

2024-25 Academic Year NSF Research Fellowships

• Seth Ashby, Microbiology, “Determining Essential Genes Contributing to the Regulation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPRmt),” advised by Suzanne Angeli
• Sydney Brown, Molecular and Cellular Biology, “Evaluation of cellular calcium flux in response to JC Polyomavirus infection,” advised by Melissa Maginnis
• Daniela Chavez de Paz Solis, Biology, “The Role of Inflammatory Mechanisms in Muscle Fiber Regeneration of Zebrafish Affected By Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” advised by Clarissa Henry
• Oyku Goktug, Biochemistry, “Investigating DPM3 Deficiency: Mechanisms of Muscle Resilience in Dystroglycanopathies,” advised by Clarissa Henry
• Benjamin Hunt, Biology, “An Investigation of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms Associated with cat-4 Gene Mutations via their Impact on Clarinet (CLA-1) Localization,” advised by Zhao Xuan
• Jasper Makowski, Microbiology, “Characterization of the role of L-type calcium channels in BK Polyomavirus infection,” advised by Melissa Maginnis
• Melisa Matonsi, Biochemistry, “Identifying Key Genes for the Prolongation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response (UPRmt),” advised by Suzanne Angeli
• Mason Soares, Microbiology, “Investigating Myosin Essential Light Chain Function,” advised by Jared Talbot
• Mary Tanner, Biology, “Investigating how muscle-driven movement promotes cartilage growth,” advised by Jared Talbot

The full list of awardees is available on .

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Dr Melissa Maginnis, Associate Professor of Microbiology and COBRE project leader, was asked by Admissions to be a recruiter for student athletes interested in STEM careers.

91���� women’s soccer program is on a roll, winning the last two America East Championships (2023 & 2024) and participating in the NCAA Tournament.
Four of the key players are actually part of two winning programs at 91����. Lara Kirkby, Abby Kraemer, Kristina Kelly and Myla Schneider are doing biomedical research in the lab of Melissa Maginnis who studies viruses that affect human health. All four players have their sights set on going to medical school or pursuing advanced degrees. The lab is becoming a draw for student-athletes who are interested in the sciences, and the work happening in the Maginnis lab has become a key part of the soccer program’s recruitment process.

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