MDI Biological Laboratory Celebrates Colby College’s Bold Science Investment

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MDI Biological Laboratory Celebrates Colby College's Bold Science Investment

• September 11, 2025

The MDI Biological Laboratory congratulates Colby College on its historic announcement of a $150 million, anonymous gift toward a new $300 million science complex - an extraordinary vote of confidence in the future of the scientific enterprise in Maine and the nation.

This landmark investment will catalyze a half-billion dollars of science and technology development, expand Colby's academic programs in engineering and public health, and strengthen Maine's collaborative bioscience ecosystem.

Partnership with MDI Bio Lab and a statewide network of research institutions

For more than 25 years, Colby and MDI Bio Lab have partnered to expand Maine's biomedical research and training capacity. Hundreds of Colby students have studied and worked in Bar Harbor through the Maine INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence), a federally funded program led by MDI Bio Lab that today connects 17 institutions across the state.

Through the network Colby students have gained authentic research experience-whether studying regeneration in axolotl salamanders, analyzing data from zebrafish genetics, or working on entrepreneurial projects in drug discovery. Colby, MDI Bio Lab and other network members have established sophisticated modern research laboratories and acquired cutting-edge research technologies while providing financial support for students and early-career faculty.

These shared resources have demonstrably elevated Maine's collective research power, creating a platform for the state's advancement in the global biomedical economy. They have launched careers in medicine, research, the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

"The MDI Biological Laboratory and Colby College have enjoyed a strong and rewarding partnership for more than 25 years," said Hermann Haller, M.D., President of MDI Biological Laboratory. "Together, along with other research and academic institutions across the state, we have worked to expand Maine's capacity for breakthrough biomedical research and to train the next generation of scientists, physicians, and biotech innovators. We are honored to continue working alongside President Greene and the Colby Board of Trustees as they launch this remarkable expansion, which will transform science in Maine for generations to come."

A New Era for Collaboration

Colby's bold step forward complements MDI Bio Lab's ongoing mission: to use comparative biology to uncover the fundamental mechanics of aging and regeneration, to translate fundamental discoveries into new therapies.

Expected to open in 2030, Colby's new science complex will feature 200,000 square feet of research and teaching laboratories, housing new programs in biomedical and environmental engineering, public health, and materials science-fields that align with MDI Bio Lab's strengths in

The two institutions already work side by side through the INBRE. Colby's new investment opens a door to even deeper collaboration.

"Colby has long had outstanding science programs, and that work has been deeply connected to other scientific organizations across Maine and around the world," said David A. Greene, President of Colby College. "As the focal point for the federally funded INBRE Grant, MDI Bio Lab has been a catalyst for research for both established and emerging scientists at scientific organizations across the state, including Colby College. We could not be more fortunate to partner with Dr. Haller and his extraordinary team to strengthen Maine's scientific infrastructure and scholarship."

Building Maine's Workforce of Tomorrow

Colby and MDI Bio Lab share one more vital goal: workforce development in Maine. By expanding research experiences for college students, building pathways for K-12 students, and connecting education directly to better human health and better job opportunities, these efforts will ensure Maine continues to grow a robust pipeline of young scientists and innovators.

"This expansion is more than a new building on Colby's campus; it's a statement that Maine is ready to lead in biomedical research and education.," Haller said. "With the INBRE as a platform and collaboration as our model, together we are creating a science ecosystem that serves students, communities across the state, and human health."