Breakfast is downstairs in a nice dining room.
About 7:30 we get aboard a small bus and head for the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, about 5 miles away. Founded in 1888, the MBL is one of the leading research and education facilities in the fields of biology, biomedicine and environmental science. Since 1929, 56 Nobel Prize winners have been affiliated with the MBL.
En route, Gayle fills us in on some more Cape Cod information. We are now on upper Cape Cod - the determination of Upper and Lower has to do with elevation rather than physical location. This area is a bit protected from weather by two islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket just off the coast. Woods Hole has the 2nd deepest harbor on the Cape and was founded in the late 1600's.
Our first speaker is Alan M. Kuzirian who tells us a little about MBL, which was founded by Louis Abassiz whose philosophy was - "Study nature, not books."
Alan's area of study is memory, which he calls the treasure chest of lifetime experiences. He is using sea slugs in his research because they are simple yet show pavlovian response and demonstrate ability to recall or learn.
His hypothesis is that memory acquisition is protein synthesis dependent. He is using bryostatin, a substance produced by colonies of bryozoans - sea animals. This has already been approved by the FDA in cancer treatment. They are now trying to address Alzheimers.
He takes us into the lab which holds dozens of tanks, large and small, holding all types of sea creatures.
Other studies going on at MLB include how squid and octopus, which are color blind, impart information to their brains to effect camouflage. He shows an incredible video in which a camouflaged octopus gradually makes itself visible.
We have lunch at the MLB cafeteria, which overlooks Eel Pond. A beautiful day!
We invite our bus driver, Lisa Smith, to join our table. She is a sweet lady who has been driving for many years and is quite up to the task of manipulating the bus in the narrow roads and alleys of Woods Hole. I wouldn't last an hour!
Next, our group moves to the Lilly Building where we meet Steve who does X-ray microanalysis. He demonstrates how they use electron microscopes in research. Samples are elaborately prepared for study. Scientists sign up for time slots to use this equipment.
He shows us some prepared samples of an octopus.
From here we go to the library, established in 1888, and meet Matthew, one of four librarians here.
He passes around the actual nobel prize award given to Thomas Hunt Morgan for discoveries regarding chromosomes and heredity, and discusses the elaborate stacks and accumulated books and research housed here.
Back to our hotel, and the rest of the afternoon is free. We follow a few of Gayle's suggestions and drive first to Nobska Lighthouse.
Unfortunately it is closed for renovations.
We stop by Old Stone Dock, a popular spot for these Mallards, it seems.
Then we do a short hike at the Knob to check out Cornelia Carey Sanctuary and Quissett Harbor.
It has gotten quite cool, so we opt to skip outdoor seating at Pie in the Sky restaurant in Woods Hole, and head back to Falmouth. The four of us have a pleasant dinner - great Fish 'n' Chips and Shepherd's Pie - at Liam Maguire's Irish Pub on Main street.
No comments:
Post a Comment