JULY 19 – AUG 8, 2026
Functional Biodiversity: Genomics, Genetics, Imaging & AI in Aquatic Invertebrates
Three weeks – three animal groups. Hands-on genetic tools, advanced imaging, and AI-driven genomics. Pioneer RNA-sensing technology in jellyfish, sea urchins, and squid.
What You’ll Do
Modify. Image. Discover.
You will gain high-level training in AI-based phylogenomics across three major animal groups – cnidarians, echinoderms, and cephalopods – vs. human, spawn-fertilize-culture new genetically-tractable models and local biodiversity species, design and test genetic tools, create cell and tissue cultures, microinject embryos, transfect cells, assess gene-to-system function by live imaging wild-type vs. genetically-modified embryonic, larval, or adult anatomy and behavior.
For each group: Work with genetic tool genetic lines of a representative lab model. Apply cutting-edge genetic tools using mRNAs in local species for the first time. Test new-to-science RNA-sensing constructs in model or local species.
The RNA-Sensing Breakthrough
RNA-sensing targets genetic tools to specific cell types based on gene expression. It is revolutionizing mouse and human research. But it’s never been used in marine animals. Until now. Workshop participants will test new pre-workshop designed RNA-sensing constructs across cnidarians, echinoderms, and cephalopods—pioneering this technology in non-model organisms. If successful, the workshop will co-author a research paper.
Cell Lines For Scalable Functional Assays
Functional research in aquatic invertebrates typically depends on limited numbers of animals. This constrains throughput and makes large-scale functional screening impractical. Cell lines change that equation. By establishing stable cell cultures from embryonic tissues, researchers can test hundreds of genetic constructs, optimize conditions rapidly, and develop standardized functional assays—approaches that are routine in mammalian systems but rare in marine biology. Participants will learn to establish embryonic cell lines in sea urchin and potentially other species, bridging traditional approaches with scalable assay-based methods. Together, this integration can enable functional genomics at scale in aquatic invertebrates.
The Animals
Cnidaria: Jellyfish & Polyps
Hydra vulgaris (Polyp – GCaMP genetic line)
Clytia hemisphaerica (Jellyfish – RCaMP genetic line)
Clytia gregaria + Aequorea victoria (Jellyfishes – field-collected)
Echinodermata: Sea Stars, Sea Urchins & Sand Dollars
Lytechinus pictus (Sea urchin – TBD genetic line)
Patiria miniata (Sea star – field-collected Reporters)
Dendraster excentricus (Sand dollar – field-collected)
Cephalopoda: Squid, Cuttlefish & Octopus
Sepia bandensis (Cuttlefish – TBD genetic line)
Doryteuthis pealeii (Squid – field-collected CRISPR)
Doryteuthis opalescens + Octopus rubescens (Squid and Octopus – field-collected)
The Instructors
Amro Hamdoun | UC San Diego Echinoderm genetic lines (Remote)
Andrea Bodnar | Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Cell lines and Aging
Brandon Weissbourd | MIT Cnidarian neuroscience
Connor Gibbons | Columbia University Cephalopod culturing
Eric Edsinger | University of Florida Animal origins and evolution
Fabian Voigt | Harvard Live tracking microscopy
Jason Hodin | University of Washington Echinoderm biology & conservation
Josh Huang | Duke University RNA-sensing technology
Shulin Zhang | Stanford Hydra connectomics
Tessa Montague | Columbia University Cephalopod neuroscience
The Training
Genetic Tools
- Fluorescent protein reporters
- RNA-sensing (pioneering work!)
- Vitellotag transfection
- shRNA knockdowns
- CRISPR knockouts
- Biosensors – Calcium / Serotonin
Imaging
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Confocal microscopy
- Live-tracking microscopy
- Phone-based documentation
- TBD – Light-sheet microscopy
Genomics & AI
- Phylogenomic pipeline design with AI
- Species & gene tree construction
- HMM protein annotation
- Orthogroup genomes clustering
- Origin-conservation-loss mapping
- Agentic AI data exploration
Field & Lab Skills
- Salish Sea collection
- Embryo culture & maintenance
- Genetic line husbandry
- Gonad tissue culture
- Embryonic cell lines
- Neurotransmitter pharmacology
AI/ML/Modeling
- Behavior quantification
- TBD Behavior modeling
- Connectomics
- TBD Protein engineering
Why Functional Biodiversity Matters
Evolution is the ultimate engineer. It has run experiments for billions of years across innumerable species. Every genome is a library of tested solutions, its readouts producing ion channel dynamics, ciliary movements, nervous system controls, aging resistance, and adaptive plasticity in molecular to ecological behaviors. Genomic sequencing is exploding. Databases are growing exponentially. But genomic data without functional testing is just a parts list. This workshop bridges that gap. You’ll combine cutting-edge genomics, genetic manipulation, advanced imaging, and AI to decode how life actually works—venturing out beyond classic genetic models and into the Tree of Life. New insights won’t just advance marine biology. They’ll illuminate principles and components that can enable human health, biotechnology, and conservation. Evolution has done the R&D. Let’s explore the results.
Program Structure
Duration: Three weeks, intensive hands-on format Location: University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories, San Juan Island, Washington—a premier marine station with direct access to incredibly rich Salish Sea biodiversity Daily schedule: Laboratory work with embryos, larvae, adults, and/or cell and tissue cultures of aquatic invertebrates, expert-led instruction, data analysis sessions, field collection, collaborative research. Small group format: Direct mentoring from faculty instructors, working in teams on shared research goals
Who Should Apply
This workshop is designed for graduate students, postdocs, and early-career researchers who want to:
- Add genetic tools and cell-based assays to their research toolkit
- Work across species diversity, not just model organisms
- Combine molecular, cellular, and computational approaches
- Scale up functional genomics in non-model systems
- Apply cutting-edge methods to their own research questions
Prerequisites: Graduate-level training in biology, computer science, or related field. Prior experience with molecular biology, cell culture, or microscopy is helpful but not required—the work is high-level and you’ll learn hands-on.
Application Materials Must Include:
- PDF of your Statement of Purpose: write 500 words or more indicating your (1) interest in the chosen training workshop, (2) how the workshop will influence your career path. (3) what aspects of the workshop you are most interested in, (4) a statement of current research or research interests
- PDF of your CV
- Name and contact information for one reference
- PDF of your unofficial transcript if applicant is an undergraduate or not yet in graduate school