Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls sur mer
 |
Avenue du Fontaulé 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer France http://www.obs-banyuls.fr |
  |
Created in 1881 by the Sorbonne zoologist Henri de Lacaze-Duthiers, the laboratory has pursued the same missions until now: the education of future generations of scientists, scientific research, and the opportunities for the general public to learn about the marine environments. Nowadays, the station employs ca. 180 staff members who ensure the activities of the station and the 4 main themes of research associated to state-of-the-art facilities.
Research themes: BIOM (Biologie Integrative des Organismes Marins "Integrative Biology of Marine Organisms"); LOMIC (Laboratoire d'Oceanographie Microbienne "Laboratory of microbial oceanography"); LECOB (Laboratoire d'Ecogeochimie des Environnements Benthiques "Laboratory of Ecogechemisty of Benthic Environments"); COREUS (Biocomplexity of Coral Reefs Ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific)
Laboratories: Laboratories and climate control rooms with access to all basic research equipments, technical support from staff. Access to library, computer and video equipment, a database on local environmental physico-chemical and biological parameters and a European database on copepods.
Platforms: Access to the platform equipment and support from technical staff. A cytometry platform, one of the best-equipped in Europe with solid phase- and fountain flow cytometers; an imaging platform with a transmission electron microscope and a two-photon laser scanning confocal microscope; a new culture platform for mass production of microorganisms.
Marine facilities: the 14m Nereis vessel certified to work up to 20 miles from the coast and the 7m Rufi dedicated to littoral work and diving. Access includes all onboard research equipments, and technical support from vessel crew. The scuba diving service is operated by 2 professional research divers.
Main marine model organisms used: Cephalochordate Amphioxus or Lancelet (Branchiostoma lanceolatum), Echinoderms (Holothuria sp....), Corals (ex. Caryophyllia sp...), Unicellular marine green alga Ostreococcus tauri, Marine eukaryotic virus.
Supervisory bodies: UPMC, CNRS
Special partnership(s): Laboratoire Pierre Fabre
Tables of Local environmental conditions and parameters
Research services and Observations data provided by the sea facilities team, Marine Biology at Banyuls/Mer station (in french)
