Embrc - European Marine Biological Resource Centre

The Marine Biological Association, representing the Plymouth Marine Science Partnership (PMSP), is a Learned Society, founded in 1884 and one of the UK's leading marine biological research institutes. The MBA currently employs about 60 staff and postgraduate researchers.

Research themes: Marine Biogeochemical Cycles, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, Science for Sustainable Marine Resources, Integration of Sustained Observations in the Marine Environment.

Laboratories: The MBA has a modern seawater system with holding tanks, algal culture facilities (including chemostats), and fully equipped wet, “dry” and sterile laboratory space with all necessary facilities. Technical support for the laboratory and IT facilities and access to the National Marine Biological Library, the Plymouth Culture collection of Phytoplankton, and the Marine Life Information Network (MARLIN).

Platforms: Full molecular genetics facilities (PCR, Real-time PCR, DNA sequencing, cell culture, etc), a highly advanced imaging facility (confocal, multiphoton and TIRF systems,). The laboratory is also equipped with HPLC, gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and a radio isotope laboratory.

Marine facilities: With the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (see below), access to two full-time coastal research vessels. The MBA also has 20 multi-purpose landers to deploy autonomous monitoring stations for long periods up to 1 year.

Main marine model organisms: Emiliania huxleyi, Scyliorhinus canicula, Sepia officinalis, Amphioxus Branchiostoma lanceolatum, Coccolithus pelagicus, brown macroalgae, Ciona intestinalis, Psammechinus miliaris, Echinus esculentus.

MBA Partners:

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML): PML has a core molecular biology facility, wet laboratory and climate-controlled mesocosm facilities with circulating sea water. PML also has facilities for culturing planktonic organisms and houses a microalgal and viral strain collection.

University of Plymouth Marine Institute (MI): MI specialises in the culture and use of aquatic gastropods and crustaceans, provide access to temperature controlled laboratories and ocean acidification facilities; -10°C CT room; image analysis; physiological instrumentation; 14m new coastal research vessel & large ROV; diving facilities and support; large aquaria. A major new wave tank housed in a customised building and associated laboratory space is under construction

The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS): SAHFOS manages the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR), an ocean-scale plankton-monitoring programme. Surveys are carried out on some 30 routes across the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific and Southern Oceans. A sample archive of ~50 years duration is available.

Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC): DDRC provides access to a range of hyperbaric chambers, both for human occupancy and for non-vertebrate laboratory experiments. The Hyperbaric Medical Centre has classrooms for training and workshops.

The National Marine Aquarium (NMA): The NMA is the largest public Aquarium in the UK with approximately 7 million litres of systems and exhibit water. A structured programme of evaluation and action research is employed to identify best practice in public engagement and education