From April 2-5, 2025, our lab packed bags full of new data and headed to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, for the 28th Developmental Biology of Sea Urchins and other Marine Invertebrates (DBSUMI XXVIII) conference. This meeting was held at the famous Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL). This gathering is an event for researchers studying the developmental biology of marine organisms, and we were excited to join this scientific community to share our latest findings, reconnect with colleagues, and build new collaborations.
DBSUMI XXVIII brought together an international group of marine biologists to discuss the most recent findings of their research on sea urchins and other marine invertebrates, This meeting focuses mainly on developmental processes, gene regulation, and evolutionary biology of sea urchins but welcomes any other type of marine invertebrates. The conference featured oral presentations, poster sessions, and networking opportunities at this wonderful epicenter of marine science. MBL is the perfect venue for this vibrant exchange of ideas.
Our lab was well-represented at the conference, with five oral presentations and a poster session showcasing our latest work on sea urchin developmental biology.
Dave started off with a talk on gene regulatory networks governing early embryonic patterning in sea urchins. His presentation discussed new findings on how Wnts participate into the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate gut specification.
Alejo presented his new work on the differential gene expression between the anterior and posterior halves in the lecithotrophic H. erythrogramma. His findings imply the presence of novel coexpression patterns involved with the evolution and formation of photoreceptors.
Greg introduced us to Turbodevo, refering to how fast the development in the Australian sea urchin (H. erythrogramma) occurs.
Carl talked about his progress developing novel tools for manipulating gene expression in sea urchins.
Qianzi talked about her recent findings on Nodal in H. erythrogramma.
Emma showed her work through a poster presentation.
A special highlight of the conference was the opportunity to travel with our collaborator, Professor Maria Byrne from the University of Sydney. Maria’s expertise in echinoderm biology and her pioneering work on the impacts of ocean acidification on marine invertebrates. Her insights and enthusiasm were, as always, a source of inspiration for our team.
No trip to Woods Hole would be complete if at the end of the meeting we don’t eat lobsters for dinner. The conference concluded with a traditional New England lobster feast, a beloved DBSUMI tradition that brought folks together for a night of friendship and celebration. We enjoyed the lobsters, which were paired with sides like sausage, clams, potatoes, corn on the cob and drawn butter. The feast was the perfect way to unwind after days of intense scientific discussions.
DBSUMI XXVIII was a big success for our lab, offering a place and a community to share our work, gain new perspectives, and strengthen our collaborations. The feedback we received will shape our research in the future, and we’re already looking forward to the next DBSUMI meeting in 2027. For now, we’re back in the lab and energized by the experience.
A huge thank you to the DBSUMI XXVIII organizers, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and our fellow attendees for making this conference a memorable and productive experience.
You can learn more about the event at the official DBSUMI website https://www.dbsumi.com/dbsumi-xxviii
