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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 "We're teaching the students how to use a model system," Strange says. "C. elegans techniques are diff erent than those for a killifi sh. We need them to ask 'what's the best model system to use?'" Aric Rogers, assistant professor of regenerative biology at the lab and organizer of the aging course, adds that the young scientists competed to get into the course. "About half are new to the fi eld of aging," he says. " e other part of the course is early-stage investigators already studying aging and who want to know about other model systems." A number of the students, he adds, are looking for their next research position, and had the chance to make contacts with visiting instructors at the course. Funding remains a challenge Strange says he appreciates the history of art and science on MDIBL's campus, but he is perplexed when shown a recent sponsored tweet of Jackson Lab President and CEO Edison Liu rapping in binary zeros and ones. Liu is an accomplished clas- sical and jazz pianist who has performed in public to link science with the arts. Strange says he has no plans to produce a video of his own. Strange is focused on getting money for the lab's research in the regeneration of body tissues and eventually body parts, and for the related fi eld of aging. "I could spend my whole day just preparing grants," he says of the diffi cult environment for getting funding from the federal government and other sources such as nonprofi t organizations focused on specifi c diseases. at includes funding for Novo Biosciences Inc., the fi rst spinoff in MDIBL's 118-year history, which focuses on tissue regeneration. Strange and Voot Yin, an assistant professor at the lab, started the company in 2013. Strange says he has to keep the two separate as he seeks fi nancial support for each of them. "Maine is at a huge disadvantage," says Strange of luring Boston investors to the state. One bright spot, he says, is that even during the recent horrible economic times, the National Institutes of Health got a big boost in its budget last year, and he expects the same will happen this year. In adition to the standard model organisms of fruit fl ies and mice, MDIBL also uses C. elegans roundworms (left), zebrafi sh (middle) and African killifi sh (right) to study aging and disease. It is one of the few labs in the world that studies multiple model organisms, giving the students a rare insight into conducting research in other animals. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Sales start before before before before before before before your salesperson calls. your salesperson calls. Sales start before your salesperson calls. Contact Publisher Donna Brassard at 207.761.8379 x327 or donnab@mainebiz.biz Now, what was it you wanted to sell me? who you are, your company, your company's record, your company's product, your company's reputation, your company's customers, or what your company stands for. I don't know… Warm up your cold calls with local B2B media advertising. Casual Dining Restaurant Franchise Available Interested candidates should send an email with resume attached to MaineFranchiseNow@gmail.com. Going concern, fully staffed and stocked Casual Dining Restaurant Franchise available in Southern Maine. Located in a high traffic area with area businesses, amusement park and other entertainment venues nearby. Restaurant is operating and part of a known brand and franchise system, and design is fully updated and in excellent condition. Rent and Utilities are very reasonable. This is a turnkey, step-in opportunity for the right owner/operator with strong financials and prior full service restaurant operating experience. P H O T O / RO G I E R VA N B A K E L E A G E R E Y E P H O T O. C O M P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y M D I B L Vicki Losick, an assistant professor at MDIBL, studies regenerative biology and medicine in fruit fl ies.

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