Laboratories

SIMS’ laboratory spaces enable collaborative marine research across the eastern coast of Australia with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

The  laboratories facilitate local, national and international collaborative research and are enhanced through shared access to a range of leading edge technology, high-cost equipment and facilities that enable our member universities and government departments to focus on addressing marine sustainability & climate change challenges.

Cellular, molecular, proteomic and microbiology laboratories:

This laboratory includes 20 individual bench spaces, dedicated gel electrophoresis and microscopy rooms, general and discipline specific equipment such as:

  • PCR machines (Biorad C1000, MJ mini, CFX 96 qPCR)
  • Genomic and proteomic separation (Biorad subcell GT, criterion cell, mini protean, IEF protean)
  • Gel imaging (Biorad Chemidoc XRS and Pharos FX imager)
  • Molecule and cell quantification (nanodrop2000c, Biorad smarspect and Xmark spectrophotometer)
  • Fluorescence compound and inverted compound microscopes (Leica DM5500, 3000i)
  • Stereo microscopes with cameras (Leica M80 and M125s)
  • Centrifugation apparatus (Eppendorf concentrator and refrigerated 5810R, Sorvall super centrifuge RC6 and ultra centrifuge WX100)
  • Cell, tissue and media culture or preparation/extraction (BSC, incubators, water bath, oven, autoclaves, shakers, rollers, homogenizer and grinders, Co2 incubator, freeze-drier)
  • Fume hood
  • 4, -20, -80 Celsius cold storage

Fisheries, necropsy, field ecology, and sediment sample preparation and analysis

Large wet-laboratory spaces allow for necropsy, water sample filtration, marine fauna/flora sorting, and sediment core preparation/analysis. Specific equipment includes:

  • Bone and coral saw
  • Multiparameter handheld probe and deployable sonde logger (YSI 6600, ProDss and Proplus)
  • Suspended particle counter (Pola 2000)
  • Polarized and swing arm installed stereo-microscope (Leica M125, M80, MZ6)
  • Fume hood
  • Large -30˚C and 4˚C storage facility

Ecotoxicology and analytical chemistry of water or biological samples

A well-equipped chemistry lab and two controlled temperature rooms provide consistent growth conditions used for experimental work or algae cultures. Specific equipment includes:  

  • LCMS (ThermoScientific Q Exactive)
  • High or Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (Waters Alliance and Acquity systems)
  • Iatroscan (MK-6 system)
  • Automatic titrator (Metrohm Titrando)
  • Microwave Digestor
  • Rotary Evaporator
  • Centrifugal Evaporator
  • Chemical Purifier
  • Fume Hood
  • 4, -20, and -80 Celsius cold storage