diff --git a/platform/commonUI/browse/bundle.json b/platform/commonUI/browse/bundle.json
index 7355a6b69c..bf2f03122b 100644
--- a/platform/commonUI/browse/bundle.json
+++ b/platform/commonUI/browse/bundle.json
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
             {
                 "key": "BrowseObjectController",
                 "implementation": "BrowseObjectController.js",
-                "depends": [ "$scope", "$location", "$route" ]
+                "depends": [ "$scope", "$location", "$route", "$window" ]
             },
             {
                 "key": "CreateMenuController",
diff --git a/platform/commonUI/browse/src/BrowseObjectController.js b/platform/commonUI/browse/src/BrowseObjectController.js
index 22a8902a40..3f450e9352 100644
--- a/platform/commonUI/browse/src/BrowseObjectController.js
+++ b/platform/commonUI/browse/src/BrowseObjectController.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ define(
          * object (the right-hand side of Browse mode.)
          * @constructor
          */
-        function BrowseObjectController($scope, $location, $route) {
+        function BrowseObjectController($scope, $location, $route, $window) {
             function setViewForDomainObject(domainObject) {
                 var locationViewKey = $location.search().view;
 
@@ -64,7 +64,15 @@ define(
                 }
             }
 
-            $scope.ngModel.leftPane = true;
+            // If there is a defined opener, assume that the window was opened 
+            //   by choosing 'Open in a new tab'
+            if ($window.opener) {
+                // The desired default for this is to have a closed left pane
+                $scope.ngModel.leftPane = false;
+            } else {
+                // Otherwise, start the application with an open left pane 
+                $scope.ngModel.leftPane = true;
+            }
             
             $scope.$watch('domainObject', setViewForDomainObject);
             $scope.$watch('representation.selected.key', updateQueryParam);
diff --git a/platform/commonUI/browse/test/BrowseObjectControllerSpec.js b/platform/commonUI/browse/test/BrowseObjectControllerSpec.js
index 1ae7c2528b..f20b858e2d 100644
--- a/platform/commonUI/browse/test/BrowseObjectControllerSpec.js
+++ b/platform/commonUI/browse/test/BrowseObjectControllerSpec.js
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ define(
             var mockScope,
                 mockLocation,
                 mockRoute,
+                mockWindow,
                 mockUnlisten,
                 controller;
 
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ define(
                 );
                 mockScope.ngModel = {};
                 mockRoute = { current: { params: {} } };
+                mockWindow = {};
                 mockLocation = jasmine.createSpyObj(
                     "$location",
                     [ "path", "search" ]
@@ -61,7 +63,8 @@ define(
                 controller = new BrowseObjectController(
                     mockScope,
                     mockLocation,
-                    mockRoute
+                    mockRoute,
+                    mockWindow
                 );
             });