Driving Real-World Impact Through High-Speed Research

Explore how HP Z Workstations support rapid scientific advancement at the Marine Biological Laboratory, enabling researchers to collaborate efficiently and achieve meaningful results within tight timelines.

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A CENTER FOR DIGITAL EDUCATION CASE STUDY

Every summer, scientists from across the globe arrive at Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in

Woods Hole, Massachusetts, to conduct groundbreaking research in biology and environmental science.

During hands-on courses in microbiology, embryology, neuroscience and more, researchers ranging from university faculty to undergraduate students come together to learn scientific skills and collaborate on short-term projects. With more than 60 Nobel laureates affiliated with MBL, the research center is known for its impactful work.

“MBL is a unique place,” says Abhishek Kumar, assis- tant professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison and a scientist at MBL. “Here, we have scientists from all different fields, as well as a unique array of marine organisms. This diversity of both science and biology enriches our research.”

Because scientists stay at MBL for only a few weeks at a time, they need the right technology for efficient data analysis and decision-making.

A collaboration between MBL and HP provides numerous MBL labs with high-performance workstations. HP Z gives scientists the speed and capacity needed to complete their summer research projects on deadline.

“The result is innovative, cutting-edge research done in a matter of weeks,” Kumar says.

“Here, we have scientists from all different fields, as well as a unique array of marine organisms. This diversity of both science and biology enriches our research.” — Abhishek Kumar, Investigator, Marine Biological Laboratory

Analyzing Data Quickly and Locally

In Kumar’s microscopy lab, HP Z enables fast access to vast amounts of information. With strong CPU and GPU performance and built-in applications for data analysis, the workstations can efficiently perform the visual processing necessary to render high-resolution microscopy images.

One visiting researcher who recently took advantage of this technology was professor André Fenton from New York University. He used an innovative new imaging technique to examine mouse brain tissue, to determine exactly how a protein linked with long-term memory is distributed within neurons. After tagging the protein with a biochemical signature, Fenton’s team used Kumar’s optical microscope and connected workstation to analyze the brain tissue with machine learning and other AI tools.

The workstations also provide high performance without the need for sound isolation, heat isolation or other potentially expensive methods to keep operating systems stable.

Promoting Critical Collaborations

At MBL, researchers are encouraged to embrace collaboration across disciplines.

“Cell biologists, physicists, neuroscientists and others can all discuss their science together,” Kumar says. “Collaboration is organic at a place like MBL.”

With HP Z, MBL scientists can also easily collaborate with scientists outside of MBL laboratories. Remote users can securely log in to view and share scientific data. Using this method, an external collaborator doesn’t have to transfer data to their server or work system.

“We’re able to collaborate without barriers,” Kumar says.

Empowering Next-Generation Research

The innovative research conducted by scientists at MBL has impacted fields from biomedicine to environmental sustainability.

High-performing on-site workstations give researchers the technology they need to complete these ground- breaking projects and gain meaningful insights within a tight timeframe.

With HP Z workstations, Kumar says, “MBL scientists can push the envelope of research and test out ideas we might not otherwise be able to explore.”

“He needed to image a very small section of the brain,” Kumar says. “On a high-end commercial system, it would take three to four weeks to get the desired resolution. On our system, he got the desired imaging requirement in one day.”

MBL workstations provide lightning-fast processing because they are run on premises. Researchers in the lab do not have to wait for microscopy data to transfer to the cloud. Instead, they can simply transfer the data from the microscope directly to the adjacent workstation and visualize the information almost immediately.

“When we don’t have to wait to analyze our data, it saves us critical time,” Kumar says.

Monitoring Progress and Resources

With these efficiencies, MBL researchers can continually review and revise their research projects. This saves not only time, but also money and resources that would otherwise be spent on futile projects.

The HP Z workstations give researchers an active feedback loop, which is critical for timely adjustments to projects that may not be working.

“When we do live imaging, we have to make a decision within five to 10 minutes as to whether that biological sample is in good condition and whether it is an ideal sample,” Kumar says.

During the short summer research period at MBL, being able to adjust projects in real time is crucial. Research teams visit the site from all over the world. If they had to wait until they got home to review their data for errors or miscalculations, they would have to wait until the next summer to redo their experiments.

This piece was written and produced by the Center for Digital Education Content Studio, with information and input from HP Z.

Driving Real-World Impact Through High-Speed Research

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