Scottish Association for Marine Science
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PA37 1QA Oban Argyll Scotland - United Kingdom http://www.smi.ac.uk |
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The Scottish Association for Marine Science is an independent research organisation and learned society based at the Scottish Marine Institute (SMI) in Oban on the Scottish west coast. It originates from the Scottish Marine Laboratory, set up at Granton, Edinburgh, in 1884, by Sir John Murray , the “father” of oceanography. SAMS mission is to deliver research and education to improve our understanding and sustainable use of the marine environment. SAMS employs 140 staff and has about 35 PhD students. SAMS, as a partner in the University of the Highlands and Islands delivers an Honours Marine Science Degree course to 60 undergraduate students on site. The Scottish Marine Institute also houses wholly owned subsidiaries of SAMS, SAMS Research Services Limited (SRSL) and the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology, housing 2 tenant companies.
Research: SAMS fundamental research programme is delivered through four departments: Biogeochemistry and Earth Science, Ecology, Microbial and Molecular Biology and Physics Sea Ice and Technology and mainly addresses four thematic areas: Arctic Seas, Dynamic Oceans, Marine Renewables and People and the Sea. In addition SAMS hosts the UK Culture Collection for Algae and Protozoa (CCAP); the National Facility for Scientific Diving (NFSD) and applied Research Centres Marine Bioenergy Scotland, Centre for Sustainable Coasts, Centre for Industrial Ocean Impacts and Centre for Smart Observation Techniques.
Laboratories: Our research laboratories were totally rebuilt and significantly re-equipped in 2004 and new teaching facilities were provided in 2010. There is an extensive library and excellent conference, meeting rooms and teaching laboratories and lecture rooms.
Platforms: The laboratories offer state of the art facilities and equipment for analytical chemistry, geology, microbiology and molecular biology and ecology.
The 160 m2 Alan Ansell Research Aquarium was refurbished in 2009 and offers excellent indoor and outdoor facilities for the culture of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and large scale experiments.
SAMS operates 2 inshore research vessels (Calanus and Seol Mara) and a fast inshore RHIB. The laboratory has an large inventory of field sampling equipment and seagoing instrumentation, oceanographic AUVs, and benthic landers for deep sea biogeochemical studies. The in situ National Facility for Scientific Diving (NFSD) at SAMS provides divers, equipment, training and scientific/technical support that underpins a wide range of interdisciplinary research in the underwater environment for SAMS and for universities and research institutes throughout the UK. The Culture Collection for algae and Protozoa (CCAP), the world’s most diverse culture collection of 3000 strains of marine and freshwater protists, provides cultures and advice on their growth, training, taxonomic and patent depository services as well as carrying out research cryopreservation.
Access to the SAMS laboratories and platforms can be gained by collaborative research, commercial hire or charter and through the Transnational Access Programme of the EU project ASSEMBLE.
Main marine model organisms: Research programmes across SAMS are involved in a large range of marine organisms including: Marine micro-organisms (microalgae, bacteria, protozoans, phytoplankton and other eukaryotic protists), Macro-algae, Marine invertebrates (cold water corals, annelids, echinoderms (sea urchin, sea cucumber), Zooplankton, and Marine vertebrates (cold water marine fish, cetaceans).
Special Partnerships: Collaborative Centre of UK Natural Environment Research Council; Delivery Partner of UK National Oceanography Centre; Partner of University of the Highlands and Islands.
Scottish Association for Marine Science, parts 1 & 2
