Seminar Series
Weekly seminar series
UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science & Technology hosts weekly seminars on topics related to research and policy development, fisheries, coastal preservation, ocean modeling, underwater robotics, climate change, and other related fields. The seminars are free and open to the public. Presentations are given by guest speakers and scientists -- many who collaborate with SMAST faculty, staff, and students on cooperative research projects. Supporters and potential collaborators in industry, federal and state agencies, and others are welcome to attend.
Upcoming seminars
Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences
"The actin cytoskeleton drives cell migration in a model of the “brain-eating amoeba” "
Katrina Velle
Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Biology Department
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
12:30pm-1:30pm
SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom
Abstract:
The “brain eating amoeba” Naegleria fowleri has a ~95% case fatality rate, and primarily infects children. Despite its clear importance, we have little understanding of the basic cell biological mechanisms that underlie Naegleria’s pathogenesis, which is key information for the identification of new drug targets. What is clear, however, is that actin assembly and disassembly drives many cellular processes in Naegleria. The Velle lab studies how the actin cytoskeleton promotes cell migration, cell division, and osmoregulation—three phenotypes important for establishing and spreading infection. This talk will specifically focus on cell migration. To initiate an infection, Naegleria amoebae must crawl through narrow channels in the skull to reach the brain. To study this process, we expose Naegleria gruberi (a nonpathogenic model system) to different types of confinement including microchannels. Using quantitative microscopy, we show that Naegleria amoebae seek out confinement; after contacting the entrance to a microchannel, cells continue to probe the surface until they get inside. Once cells fully enter these channels, they crawl extremely quickly (up to 100 microns/min) in one direction for millimeters. While migrating in confined environments, cells show hallmarks of “blebbing” motility, in which the plasma membrane detaches from the underlying actin cortex and blisters outward, creating an actin-free protrusion. This is in contrast to unconfined cells, which typically use actin-filled protrusions to crawl. Collectively, these data suggest that once Naegleria amoebae detect an opening to a narrow channel—similar to what they encounter during infection—cells will switch to blebbing motility to crawl quickly and persistently.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270?pwd=L2Z1bDZESTFCKzJYZWduYVhWenYvZz09
Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive
To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions,
Department of Fisheries Oceanography
"From Data to Discovery: The Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet"
David Bethoney
Executive Director, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
3pm-4pm
SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom
Abstract:
The CFRF Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet project aims to implement a cost-effective method for collecting essential biological data on two commercially important species: the American lobster and Jonah crab. This project utilizes a fishing vessel research fleet approach, where lobster and Jonah crab fishermen gather biological and environmental data during their commercial fishing trips. This presentation on the Research Fleet will consist of two parts. The first part will focus on the development and methods used in the Research Fleet, including results that directly relate to the project's goals. The second part will highlight extension projects developed from the Research Fleet. These extension projects encompass a variety of topics and involve additional data collection and analysis based on participant interests and feedback from scientists and managers who rely on the data.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/93758230260?pwd=OHJ5UDloQkZZaCtXcTlBNlR6Qm0rQT09
Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive
To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions,
Time and location
DEOS seminars are held on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm in Room 101/102 of SMAST-EAST, New Bedford.
DFO seminars are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm in Room 101/102 of SMAST-EAST, New Bedford.
Access seminars remotely
If you are unable to attend the seminars, you may remotely view the seminar in progress. To access the live broadcast,
- visit Echo360.
- login as smast@umassd.edu with the password smastumassd.
- click ALL CLASSES (MAR 700 - 01 - DEOS Seminar or MAR 700 - 02 - DFO Seminar).
- click the green LIVE streaming.
Archived seminars
Download the Archive of Seminar Series (2014-2024)(PDF) (and associated videos where applicable).