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