{"id":1732,"date":"2026-05-29T21:57:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T21:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/?p=1732"},"modified":"2026-05-29T21:57:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T21:57:55","slug":"blue-biotech-bulletin-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/?p=1732","title":{"rendered":"Blue Biotech Bulletin: May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a1b19e630c8e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a1b19e630c8e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1733\" style=\"width:1320px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-05-28-Blue-Biotech-Bulletin-May.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an ocean science leader, <strong>Bigelow Laboratory<\/strong> is helping Maine bring to bear its competitive advantages to position the state at the forefront of this emerging industry in New England. Follow along with our work in this transformative area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bigelow&#8217;s Blue Biotech Bulletin: May 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-background\" style=\"background-color:#e7f5fe;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);grid-template-columns:auto 28%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From May 19-22, Bigelow Laboratory colleagues <strong>Sarah Meyers, Paige Norris, Mike Lomas, and Manoj Kamalanathan<\/strong> represented the <strong>Maine Algal Research Infrastructure and Accelerator (MARIA)<\/strong> project at the National Science Foundation\u2019s <strong>Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) <\/strong>Annual Summit in New Orleans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EPSCoR, which funds MARIA, is a federal-state partnership that enhances research capabilities in participating states and territories, creating opportunities for collaboration and funding and increasing STEM capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team presented their progress toward the project\u2019s three key goals (science, use-inspired solutions, and training and workforce development) while outlining next steps in each area.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1734 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bigelow-laboratory-maria-project-epscor.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-background\" style=\"background-color:#e7f5fe;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);grid-template-columns:auto 28%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Beth Orcutt<\/strong>, Bigelow Laboratory\u2019s vice president for research, participated on <strong>Startup Maine Week<\/strong>\u2019s Stronger Together: Building Maine-Canada Commercial Partnerships panel. Held at <strong>Northeastern\u2019s Roux Institute<\/strong>, the conversation brought together five leaders to discuss cross-border collaboration, regional strengths, and opportunities to build a more connected international innovation corridor. Learn more about the panel and meet the other participants <a href=\"https:\/\/app.startupmaine.org\/sessions\/2026-05-18-1345-stronger-together-building-maine-canada-commercial-partnersh\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/app.startupmaine.org\/sessions\/2026-05-18-1345-stronger-together-building-maine-canada-commercial-partnersh\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/startup-maine-week.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1735 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/startup-maine-week.jpg 680w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/startup-maine-week-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/startup-maine-week-500x235.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>About the Blue Biotech Bulletin:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maine researchers and entrepreneurs are unlocking the potential of algae, seaweed, shellfish, and marine microbes to develop novel products and materials. These blue biotechnology innovations not only strengthen the state\u2019s economy but also contribute to global efforts to increase health, sustainability, and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We regularly share events, reports, convenings, and other leadership opportunities where our researchers and colleagues are advancing this important work in our state. Together, these efforts highlight how blue biotechnology can diversify Maine\u2019s economy, create high-quality jobs, and inspire the next generation of ocean innovators while building off the state\u2019s treasured maritime history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As an ocean science leader, Bigelow Laboratory is helping Maine bring to bear its competitive advantages to position the state at the forefront of this emerging industry in New England. Follow along with our work in this transformative area. Bigelow&#8217;s Blue Biotech Bulletin: May 2026 From May 19-22, Bigelow Laboratory colleagues Sarah Meyers, Paige Norris, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1733,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","css_class_manager_body_classes":"","css_class_manager_use_in_post_loop":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[15,16,71,17,18,85,87,19],"class_list":["post-1732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-oceans-potential","tag-beth-orcutt","tag-biotech","tag-blue-economy","tag-events","tag-maine","tag-manoj-kamalanathan","tag-michael-lomas","tag-microalgae"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1732"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1736,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1732\/revisions\/1736"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/currents.bigelow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}