We took a big step in establishing Gloucester as a science hub with this past summer s research forum.

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1 Dear Friends, It has now been two years since we opened our office on Gloucester harbor -- where nature, commerce and marine technology have been interwoven for centuries. We are excited to report on progress in each of our three initiatives: Our research program focused on fisheries and marine science has moved forward with our ongoing cod and lobster sequencing projects and the recent hire of Senior Marine Scientist John Bucci. We are in the throes of establishing our biotechnology training academy, with construction underway. Curriculum and infrastructure development are on a brisk pace. The first class is scheduled to start in September 2016! We took a big step in establishing Gloucester as a science hub with this past summer s research forum. We hope you enjoy reading our second newsletter. It s an exciting testimony to the committed team that is working to bring the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute vision to life. Best to all, CHRIS MUNKHOLM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GLOUCESTER BIOTECHNOLOGY ACADEMY ON FAST TRACK The primary focus of our organization right now is developing the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy into a fully operational school, ready for its first class in September The Academy curriculum will be based on lab work, with students learning on state-of-the-art equipment commonly used in modern biotechnology companies. Education Director John Doyle is concentrating on curriculum development while working at the bench in laboratory space that Endicott College has kindly donated. It has been especially exciting to see the transformation of the curriculum from a conceptual model into a series of tangible learning experiences for the students who will be attending the Academy, reports John. (Left) DNA rising out of pulverized apple slurry. (Right) An electrophoresis gel used to separate DNA sample into different molecular lengths In the first week of the program, students will extract DNA from common substances such as strawberries, apples, beans and meat. With a little detergent and alcohol, the DNA can be teased out of the starting biological material, and observed floating up above the slurry.

2 BREAKING NEWS ON THE ACADEMY S BLACKBURN SITE It s official! The Gloucester Biotechnology Academy facility will be located at 55 Blackburn Center, within Blackburn Industrial Park. On November 23 we began demolition and renovation to convert the space into a state-of-the-art teaching laboratory. More news will follow on our grand opening, scheduled for this spring. Architectural services for the Academy have been donated by Payette, a world class design firm renowned for their expertise in designing scientific facilities. Groundbreaking crew for new facility includes (L to R): Blackburn Circle principal Jay McNiff, Education Director John Doyle, Education Council Chair Joe Rosa, Executive Director Chris Munkholm, and from Payette, Principal George Marsh and architectural designer Mike Lee. (Photograph by Tricia O'Neill 2015) GMGI SCIENCE TWO GMGI GENOME PROJECTS: THE ATLANTIC COD AND GLOUCESTER LOBSTER Atlantic Cod Our collaborators at Stanford University s Hopkins Marine Lab continue to process data from 30 different cod specimens we collected from Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine. Our ultimate goal is to determine the population structure of Atlantic cod in these two fisheries to provide the best science about the relatedness of the fish and how they move throughout the region. The preliminary results are revealing some interesting features that have not previously been identified. Our next step is to perform the analysis on many more specimens in order to obtain statistically significant results. Gloucester Lobster This iconic species has never been sequenced because its genome is extremely complex. The lobster genome has lived up to expectations it has been incredibly difficult and has presented unique challenges! We are using the most advanced sequencing and data processing advances in conjunction with a California biotechnology company. Progress has been steady and we are pursuing several strategies to finish the work. The sequence information obtained from this project will provide a baseline genome that will be used for all lobster studies in the future. SECOND GMGI SCIENCE FORUM HELD AT GLOUCESTER S AMES ESTATE On September 12 GMGI hosted its second Science Forum, which was held at the Ames Estate near Annisquam -- a perfect setting for a day of marine science. Nearly 40 scientists, students and interested individuals gathered to hear scientists present their original research and answer their questions. Speakers traveled to Gloucester from as far away as Bermuda. The day ended with Susan Windham-Bannister s presentation on The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Partner in Promoting the Growth of the Biosciences in Gloucester. Susan was the first CEO of Mass Life Sciences Center. (Continued)

3 She provided a well-informed perspective on the growth of the biotechnology industry in Massachusetts and its undeniable future. We anticipate that the GMGI Ames Estate Science Forum will become a much anticipated and wellattended annual marine science conference in the years to come. We cannot wait for the next one! said attendee Jayne Knott. GMGI Science Forum attendees at Gloucester s Ames Estate. NEW GMGI STAFF MEMBER: JOHN BUCCI PHD, SENIOR MARINE SCIENTIST MORE IMAGES FROM THE SEPT 12 GMGI SCIENCE FORUM We are very pleased to announce the addition of John Bucci as our Senior Marine Scientist. John has worked on a range of marine science investigations, requiring both genomic and ecologic perspectives. John has conducted coastal marine research with a focus on food web biogeochemistry and molecular ecology. During his previous posts at North Carolina State University and the University of New Hampshire, his work has examined how microbial communities influence shellfish populations within a range of dynamic ecosystems including the Great Bay and Pamlico and Puget Sound USA. As environmental and resource pressures increase, he is motivated to discover innovative solutions that bridge fisheries science with genomic technology. John holds a BS in Biology and Business from Northeastern University and received his MS and PhD in Biological Oceanography from North Carolina State University. He completed a 3 year post-doctoral fellowship in microbial ecology at North Carolina State University s Veterinary School of Medicine, Aquatic Animal Laboratory. John relishes working in the field. He will no doubt become a familiar figure around the Gloucester harbor and Cape Ann marine settings. Nina Overgaard Therkildsen (PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at Hopkins Marine Lab, Stanford University) presented her study of cod samples, dated The samples, which she found in a Greenland storage vault, led to her discovery that cod migrated continuously between Iceland and Greenland. Fraser Clark (PhD, Research Scientist at the AVC Lobster Science Centre at the University of Prince Edward Island) and Bryan Barney (graduate student at Stanford University). Fraser is widely recognized for his work on the lobster and Bryan is the scientist working on the GMGI Cod bioinformatics analysis project Andrea Bodnar (PhD, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science). In the Molecular Biology Department at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science her lab is using sea urchins as a model to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying extreme longevity and negligible senescence.

4 BUILDING OUR NETWORK NEW SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER: CINDY LAWLEY, PHD, SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER, ILLUMINA INC. Cindy Lawley has joined the GMGI Science Advisory Board. Cindy has a PhD in Biological Oceanography from the University of California at San Diego, a master s in Evolutionary Biology from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor s in Biopsychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She also holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential and taught high school science in northern California before doing her graduate work. At Scripps Institution of Oceanography she used genetic methods as tools to study marine fish populations around the Channel Islands in southern California. Cindy Lawley, PhD, Senior Marketing Manager, Illumina Inc., presenting at the GMGI Science Forum. She joined Illumina in 2004 and has coordinated the development of over 400 custom Genotyping and Sequencing projects through a variety of roles supporting instrument and reagent sales. She is particularly passionate about lowering the barrier of entry for customers interested in advancing genetic studies for agriculture as well as freshwater and marine applications. Her connection to the genetics industry will be invaluable for providing guidance and advice on GMGI s science programs. TWO NEW GMGI BOARD MEMBERS We are very pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the GMGI Board, JC Gutierrez-Ramos and Tom Simons. Both bring stellar professional experience to GMGI. José-Carlos Gutiérrez-Ramos, PhD JC Gutiérrez-Ramos is the CEO of Synlogic, a privatelyheld biopharmaceutical company. Previously JC was global Head of Biotherapeutics at Pfizer, Global SVP of Inflammation Research and Development at GSK, and on the faculty at Harvard Medical School s Genetics department where his research generated more than 150 peer-reviewed publications. JC and his family live in Manchester MA. Tom Simons Tom Simons is the founder of PARTNERS+simons, a nationally recognized brand strategy and marketing services firm serving the health care and financial services sectors. Tom currently serves as the company s Chairman and is on the board of its parent company, Myelin Communications. Tom is past Chair of the Mount Auburn Hospital (Cambridge, MA) and Parents and Children s Services boards. Tom lives between Gloucester and Spring Island, SC. SEASON S GREETINGS FROM THE GMGI STAFF! L to R: John Doyle (Education Director), Jennifer Hale (Office Administrator), Chris Munkholm (Executive Director) and John Bucci (Senior Marine Scientist).

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS GMGI thanks the following for their generous support: Applied Materials Foundation $25,000 grant for Gloucester Biotechnology Academy curriculum development. State of Massachusetts $80,000 legislative appropriation for development and implementation of a workforce training program for high school graduates. Ropes & Gray LLP Pro bono legal support. Payette Pro bono architectural design work on our Gloucester Biotechnology Academy facility at Blackburn Center. GMGI BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNCIL CHAIRS Board Members Michele May, Board Chair José-Carlos Gutiérrez-Ramos, PhD Tom Simons Greg Verdine, PhD Founder, Scientific Advisory Board Marc Vidal, PhD Founder, Scientific Advisory Board David Walt, PhD Founder, Scientific Advisory Board Sheree Zizik, Founder Council Chairs John Bell, Chair, Community Advisory Council Joe Rosa, PhD, Co-Chair, Education Advisory Council Meredith Thompson, PhD, Co-Chair, Education Advisory Council Gloucester marine genomics institute is a non-profit enterprise that is: Performing research focused on fisheries and marine science to foster the local economy, Launching a training academy for cape ann youth to provide a trained biotech workforce, And establishing gloucester as a worldwide scientific hub. [email protected]