Centre for Marine Sciences
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Gambelas Edifício 7 8005-139 Faro Portugal http://www.ccmar.ualg.pt |
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The Algarve Marine Sciences Centre located in Faro, Portugal, is an independent multidisciplinary, non-profit research organization inserted in the University of Algarve system with competence in a range of areas of marine biology, fisheries and aquaculture. Its mission is to promote research and education on processes in the marine environment, with emphasis on biological interactions and the sustainable use of resources. It is part of the University of Algarve system and a partner in CIMAR Associate Laboratory, a consortium of recognized excellence status in Portugal. It has over 200 staff and students of which 90 are scientists and postdoctoral fellows, including 25 tenured faculty, and 40 PhD students.
Research themes: Systematics, Biogeography, and Evolution; Plant and Algal Ecology; Microbial Ecology; Habitat Restoration; Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology; Cellular and Inorganic Biochemistry; Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms; Protein biophysics; Synthesis and Organic Reactivity; Environmental Technologies; Biotechnology and Resource Management and Conservation; Aquaculture ;
Laboratories: Modern experimental facilities, well equipped for a wide range of laboratory, climate control rooms and in situ studies for investigating marine biological systems at various levels, from biochemistry and molecular biology through genetics, physiology, behavior, ecology and oceanography.
Platforms: Bioresources platform provides access and technical support to electrophysiology rigs, GC- and HPLC- coupled mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, microscopy, cell culture, DNA sequencing and proteomics, imaging.
Marine facilities: Easy access to the unique and extensive mudflats and ponds of Ria Formosa and coastal areas facilitate in situ studies. The Ramalhete Marine Station is a versatile infrastructure allow for the provision of tailored experimental setups in a wide range of conditions to maintain and experiment on marine organisms, including outdoor mesocosms. Ria Formosa, a unique coastal mesotidal lagoon, separated from the ocean by a system of barrier islands and inlets, with very high biodiversity and an ideal natural laboratory protected by national and international legislation, which can be accessed by foot or boat.
Main marine model organisms: Fishes (gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax; Sole, Solea solea, Mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus); cephalopods (cuttlefish Sepia officinalis); plants (Zostera marina).
Supervisory bodies: University of Algarve.
Special partnership(s): CIMAR, Associate Laboratory a partnership between CCMAR and CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental and Marine Research, Porto, Portugal).
Videos presenting the Centro de Ciencias do Mar do Algarve (in portuguese, english version in prep)
