Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Campuses

The East Boothbay Campus of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences specializes in advanced training programs and workshops focused on oceanographic research methodologies, microbial oceanography, and cutting-edge marine science technologies. These courses are designed for researchers, students, and professionals seeking hands-on experience in ocean sciences.

• Single-Cell Environmental Genomics (SCEG): A flagship multi-week intensive course teaching isolation, genome sequencing, and analysis of individual marine microbes using state-of-the-art flow cytometry and microfluidics. Participants learn sample preparation, data processing with bioinformatics tools, and applications to microbial ecology.
• Flow Cytometry and Imaging Flow Cytometry: Training on the FlowCam and CytoFLEX systems for analyzing phytoplankton, bacteria, and particles in seawater. Covers instrument operation, calibration, data acquisition, and visualization software for ecological studies.
• Ocean Observing Systems: Workshops on deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gliders, and sensors for real-time ocean data collection. Includes programming, maintenance, and data telemetry for monitoring climate change impacts.
• Molecular Biology and Metagenomics: Courses on DNA/RNA extraction from marine samples, qPCR, and high-throughput sequencing. Emphasizes bioinformatics pipelines for assembling metagenomes and functional gene annotation.
• Physical-Biological Ocean Modeling: Introduces numerical modeling tools like ROMS for simulating ocean circulation, nutrient dynamics, and plankton blooms. Hands-on coding in Python and MATLAB.
• Satellite Remote Sensing: Training in processing ocean color data from MODIS and VIIRS satellites to study phytoplankton productivity and biogeochemical cycles.
• Microbial Cultivation and Physiology: Techniques for culturing uncultivable marine microbes using high-pressure reactors and dilution-to-extinction methods.

These programs foster interdisciplinary skills, with expert-led lectures, lab sessions, and field excursions on research vessels. Participants gain proficiency in addressing global challenges like ocean health, carbon cycling, and biodiversity loss. Annual offerings accommodate 10-20 learners per course, promoting international collaboration. The campus's coastal location enables direct sampling from the Gulf of Maine, enhancing practical learning. Over 500 scientists trained since inception, contributing to peer-reviewed publications and career advancement in marine science.