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Stuart Levine: Leading the Charge at MIT’s BioMicro Center

Stuart Levine, the director of the MIT BioMicro Center (BMC), thrives on the dynamic and diverse challenges presented to him each day. As one of over 50 core facilities at the Institute, the BMC plays a crucial role by providing essential services such as high-throughput genomics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis, bioinformatics, and data management to MIT researchers.

“Every day is a different day,” Levine emphasizes. “There are always new problems, new challenges, and the rapid advancement of technology keeps things exciting.” With over 15 years in guidance of the BMC, Levine is appreciative that his role enables him to tackle a myriad of scientific inquiries.

Leveraging his expertise in bioinformatics alongside strong relationships in the biotech sector, Levine is well-equipped to maximize the impact of the center’s resources. His skills align well with the varied research questions posed by faculty in the MIT Department of Biology.

Broad Expertise

Levine’s journey into the world of biology began as an undergraduate at MIT, where he was captivated by the engaging instruction of Professor Eric Lander and Amgen Professor Emerita Nancy Hopkins in the introductory biology course, 7.012. After receiving his PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University and working at Massachusetts General Hospital, he returned to MIT for postdoctoral studies under Professor Richard Young, a core member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

During his time in the Young Lab, Levine discovered his passion for informatics, ultimately choosing to remain at MIT. Currently, the BMC supports more than 100 labs each year, spanning various departments including the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biology.

“It’s a fun way to think about science,” Levine remarks, stating that his understanding of complex instrumentation helps streamline workflows across various disciplines.

This extensive knowledge positions Levine at the forefront of a core facility that, according to long-time colleague Professor Laurie Boyer, has consistently provided critical training and resources for faculty members. Levine and his team utilize advanced scientific instruments that produce substantial amounts of bioinformatics data, employing sophisticated computational tools to manage and visualize this information. Their work contributes to pivotal research areas including host-parasite interactions and tools for NASA’s planetary protection policy.

Staying Ahead in Science

Under Levine’s leadership, the BMC is dedicated to empowering researchers to utilize advanced systems biology techniques. These techniques leverage cutting-edge technologies to facilitate tasks such as sequencing large DNA and RNA samples, reading single-cell sequences, and localizing gene expression within specific tissues.

Levine showcases a device he describes as a flow cell, which can efficiently analyze up to 20 human genomes in two days, generating an impressive 8 billion reads. “Newer instruments can achieve several times that capacity,” he notes, underscoring the capabilities at the Institute.

While most research laboratories might not require such extensive power, MIT researchers certainly benefit from it. Levine highlights that the return on investment for supporting shared resources is significantly high, impacting a wide range of labs and bolstering MIT’s mission to lead in scientific discovery.

To ensure the BMC remains at the forefront of research technology, Levine cultivates relationships with industry partners while leveraging his scientific acumen to educate researchers on the vast possibilities within modern systems biology. These elements combine to empower researchers to “push the limits of what is achievable.”

Behind the Scenes Leadership

Each core facility functions similarly to a small business, delivering specialized services to a diverse array of clients across academia and industry, as noted by Amy Keating, the Jay A. Stein (1968) Professor of Biology and head of the Department of Biology. She articulates that the PhD-level education and expertise of core facility directors like Levine are vital to the success of life sciences research at MIT and beyond.

Levine’s accomplishments reflect not only his expertise but also his persistence and commitment to delivering results for BMC users. His dedication has been recognized with accolades including the MIT Infinite Mile Award in 2015 and the MIT Excellence Award in 2017. One nomination highlighted his unwavering goal of producing high-quality data and his relentless troubleshooting skills.

“He puts researchers and their work at the forefront, whether through education, technical services, or connecting collaborators,” remarks Noelani Kamelamela, BMC lab manager. “Everything is aligned with supporting users and their projects.”

Levine’s office, tucked away in a corner of the BMC lab, symbolizes his humble approach to leadership. While he provides guidance and expertise that elevates the BMC’s services, he remains focused on supporting others in their scientific endeavors.

“Stuart has always been the person, often behind the scenes, that pushes great science, ideas, and people forward,” says Boyer. “His knowledge and advice have truly empowered us to stay at the cutting edge of our work.”

Source
news.mit.edu