Institute of Marine Biology and Genetics, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
 |
GR 710 03 Héraklion Greece http://www.hcmr.gr |
  |
The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) is the national laboratory of Greece for all aspects of marine research, physical oceanography, marine geology, wave prediction, coastal geomorphology, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biology, marine genetics and inland waters. The Institute of Marine Biology and Genetics (IMBG) is a recently established Institute within the HCMR, whose main objective is the study of marine biodiversity at all levels of biological organization, using interdisciplinary approaches and state-of-the-art technologies. IMBG scientists are of acknowledged high international standing, earned by their important achievements in internationally high priority research areas, such as genomics and biodiversity studies at all hierarchical levels. The Institute works closely with the other HCMR institutes, it has strong collaborative links with many departments of Greek universities and other research bodies and has developed strong international links with 35 research organizations in more than 25 countries.
Research themes: a) Genetics and molecular biotechnology of marine organisms : use of molecular genetic tools to assess population structure of natural and cultivated stocks; parentage identification; genetic improvement in aquaculture; production of genetic maps of model species (Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax) to shed light on the genetic basis of traits of commercial interest and fitness characteristics; comparative, functional and environmental genomics by using modern technologies. The team of Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology has been and still is playing a leading role in deciphering the phylogenetic patterns and evolutionary history of marine species in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Black Seas. Recently, the team has played a significant role in the introduction of genomic approaches in aquaculture practices. b) Biodiversity and ecosystem management : collection, collation and diffusion of marine biodiversity data, using the latest techniques and information management techniques for dissemination of innovative technological achievements and products; participation in projects addressing the sustainable use of biological diversity and its components in a holistic manner, taking into account the various levels of biological diversity as well as socioeconomic and cultural factors. The team of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management has participated and is currently involved in several major European R&D programmes, networks and initiatives concerning marine biodiversity, ecosystem-based management issues and evaluation and management of the coastal zones in relation to marine pollution and demersal fisheries. In addition to these two main directions, the Institute has also recently established the basis for the development of a horizontal bioinformatics direction in order to appropriately process and valorize the mass of information produced nowadays.
Facilities: IMBG is located in new purpose-built installations at the marine centre site of Thalassocosmos at Gournes, near Heraklion, Crete, adjacent to the Cretaquarium. IMBG has a wide range of computing facilities, and as an HCMR institute has access to two Research Vessels fully equipped for research cruises in open sea and coastal areas, and to other existing large-scale structures /facilities/equipment, i.e., the manned submersible “THETIS”, ROVs, CTDs, sledges, benthic and water column samplers, small craft, diving equipment, etc. Within the Thalassocosmos site, there are also facilities for the culture of fish, either in tanks or in mesocosms.
Infrastructure: The institute has one of the best-developed laboratories for marine population genetics studies in the Mediterranean. A new-generation sequencer GS FLX (Roche and 454 Life Sciences™), was very recently purchased comprising a versatile sequencing platform suitable for a wide range of applications. There is also an automated sequencer ABI 3730, two Real Time PCR machines, a robotic sample manipulator, a microarray scanner, several thermal cyclers, electrophoresis apparatuses, etc. Other IMBG laboratories are the Marine Biodiversity Laboratory, the Ecosystem Management Laboratory, and the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratories. They have facilities for the processing of biological and sedimentological material, are equipped with modern research infrastructure, and possess state-of-the-art computing facilities and internal networks.
Supervisory bodies: Greek Ministry of Education
Deep dive with HCMR
The HCMR turned 60 in 2005
