CENTRO DE CIÊNCIAS DO MAR (CCMAR) | Assemble+

CENTRO DE CIÊNCIAS DO MAR (CCMAR)

Overview

CCMAR is one of the foremost marine science research centres in Portugal, gathering experts in the fields of marine biology, ecology, oceanography, environmental sciences, biotechnology, fisheries and aquaculture. Located in the South of Portugal, CCMAR is an independent and non-profit research organization within the University of Algarve system. CCMAR is dedicated to R&D in the marine sciences, and aims to promote multidisciplinary research and education related with the marine environment, with emphasis on the processes of environmental change that affect marine ecosystems, including developing approaches to conserve and unlock the potential of living marine resources, in light of those changes.

CCMAR features well-equipped laboratories for investigating marine biological systems at various levels, from biochemistry and molecular biology through genetics, physiology, behaviour and ecology. Access to several state-of-the-art facilities for maintenance, culture and experimental work on cool temperate, warm temperate and sub-tropical species can also be provided. CCMAR also provides access to marine model organisms that are frequently used for research purposes at the centre. 

CCMAR’s location (SW Portugal) enables facilitated access to a wide range of marine ecosystems: lagoons and mudflats, estuaries, intertidal rocky and sandy shores, kelp forests and deep-water cold coral reefs. The centre is located just 5 km from the unique and extensive mudflats and ponds of Ria Formosa, which facilitates in situ studies in this coastal mesotidal lagoon. Special sites (e.g. marine protected areas) and extreme environments (e.g. hypersaline and aquaculture areas) and coastal Atlantic ocean are also easily accessible.                                      

CCMAR offers TA services and is also the Portugese partner in ASSEMBLE Plus. 

 

Ecosystems

  • Lagoons and mudflats, estuaries, intertidal rocky and sandy shores, kelp forests and deep-water cold coral reefs
  • Mudflats and ponds of 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.
  • Special sites (e.g. marine protected areas) and extreme environments (e.g. hypersaline and aquaculture areas) are also easily accessible

 

Ecosystem access

  • Coastal research vessels  (On-site service)
    • Reseach boat (9 meters and up to 30 miles range) and small boats operating in Algarve Atlantic coast (South Portugal)
  • Scuba diving facilities (On-site service)
    • Technical and logistic support for diving in the Algarve Atlantic Coast (South Portugal). Access to nearby estuaries, intertidal and subtidal ecosystems
  • Sampling equipment (On-site service)
    • Sampling (Niskin bottles, nets, etc.); in situ environmental monitoring (CTD, multiparameter probes, etc.)

 

Biological resources

  • Marine model organisms (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Sole (Sole senegalensis), seabream (Sparus aurata), seabass (Dicentrachus labrax), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus); others on request
  • Species collected upon request (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Organims collected in the Algarve Atlantic coast (South Portugal) and nearby estuaries (intertidal, subtidal areas)

 

Experimental facilities

  • Mesocosms (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Mesocosms for simulation of CO2 enrichment scenarios (5, 25, 110 and 650 L of seawater)
  • Dry labs (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • General and specialized laboratories
  • Wet labs (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • ​​​​​​​ General purpose wet laboratories
  • Aquaria and tanks (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Flow-through tanks of seawater (50 L to 9 m3) at Ramalhete Marine Station

 

Technology platforms

  • Bioassays (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • ​​​​​​​Cell-based bioassays and biosensors for small molecule and protein function and biodiscovery. Extracellular and intracellular electrophysiology recording
  • Imaging (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Confocal, Fluorescence and Light sheet microscopes
  • Molecular biology and omics (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • High throughput PCR and Sanger sequencing
  • Structural and chemical analysis (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Mass spectrometry (GC, HPLC), MPAS, CHN, protein structural and functional characterization incl. recombinant production

 

E-services

  • Computing and storage infrastructure (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Bioinformatics: genomics and transcriptomics software, genome assembly, sequence databases, technical support (see gyra.ualg.pt)

 

Supporting facilities

  • In-house catering (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Canteen, restaurant, cafeteria, lodging (limited availability)
  • Library services (On-site service)​​​​​​​
    • Online bibliographic databases (Web of Science, Scopus) and full text articles

 

Acronym: 
CCMAR
Address: 
Universidade do Algarve
Campus de Gambelas, Edifício 7
8005-139 Faro
Portugal
E-mail: 
Liaison officer: Ana Margarida Amaral ( ), cc to:

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