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Overview
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 In the pursuit of science excellence, we have heavily invested in a suite or world-class analytical facilities which support environmental, biological, geochemical, molecular and geological investigations.
These modern instruments support our research projects and education activities but can also be made available for commercial contracts.
For technical inquiries links to individuals working with different instruments are provided.
For commercial inquiries regarding quotes and availability, please contact our Marketing Manager, Keri Page.
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Geology
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Multi-Sensor Core Logging
Our Geotek Ltd multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) is the only commercially available tool for gathering physical property data in an automated, non-destructive and quality-controlled way. The range of parameters that can be measured includes:
- p-wave velocity
- gamma density
- magnetic susceptibility
- electrical resistivity
- colour imaging
- gamma spectroscopy
Typically, the MSCL can log material at rates of 12m h-1 and at sampling intervals of down to 1mm. Its flexibility is such that it can analyse either whole or split (D-section) cores.
Palaeoclimatological applications include: rapid, high resolution visual archives; sediment accumulation rates and chemistry; impedance, permeability and water content profiles; seismic stratigraphy; synthetic seismograms; rapid assessment of core quality; rapid inter core correlations; data rescue from existing core repositories; ice core logging.
Laser Particle Size Analysis
Laser-particle size analysis (PSA) provides detailed information on the sediment grain size distribution and therefore texture. Textural data can be used to provide an estimate of deposition, transport and erosion rates as well as being a proxy for environmental information such as benthic ecology and biodiversity. The system used at the Scottish Marine Institute is a Meritics LS230 laser-diffraction Coulter Counter. The technique uses the obscuration of a laser to determine the shape, size and distribution of particles held in suspension. Particle sizes can be measure between 0.004 to 2000 mm (clays to coarse sand). Using this method the distribution of particles within a sediment sample can be studied. Sediment grain size is a reflection of depositional environment and therefore climate. Sediments can either be analysed as bulk wet suspension or pre-treated using acids to remove any organic material that can mask the terrigenous signal.
Contact information for technical or scientific queries:
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Microbiology
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Our microbiology capabilities are significant and include the world's most diverse collection of algae and protozoa, numerous microscopes and a number of microbiology related laboratories and temperature-controlled rooms. We also have outstanding expertise in the taxonomic and quantitative analysis of phytoplankton and zooplankton, which can be made available for commercial or government contracts.
Specific equipment includes
- Numerous inverted and standard Zeiss microscopes, some with
optional fluorescence illumination and digital image analysis
capabilities
- Zeiss confocal microscope with Argon laser for
the creation of rotating 3D images of cells/microorganisms. It has also
the capacity for FRET and FRAP analysis for following dye traced
chemicals through a cell over time
- JEOL 6390LV environmental
scanning electron microscope (new in 2007): a low vacuum instrument
that can be fitted with an Emitch cool stage for imaging unfixed
samples.
- JEOL 100S transmission electron microscope with
100kV beam, tungsten filament and photographic plate image capture. A
glass knife maker and ultramicrotome are included in the set-up.
- Flow cytometery facility (FACSort and FlowCAM)
- Cryopreservation facilities
- Radiochemistry facility and liquid scintillation counter
- Incubators to culture phytoplankton and bacteria
- Fermentation and HPLC facilities
- Laminar flow hoods, filtration rigs, autoclaves etc
Contact information for technical queries
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Molecular biology
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Our research
In our busy molecular biology laboratory we work on molecular-based academic, education and commercial projects. Research in the laboratory focuses on the molecular biology and ecology of marine microbes, such as bacteria, microalgae and fungi. More...
Techniques used include
- microbial ecology such as fluorescent in situ hybridisation, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and ribosomal RNA gene sequencing
- gene cloning and gene expression studies
- 1-D and 2-D protein electrophoresis
- bioinformatics of marine microbial genomes
Our equipment
- thermal cyclers for PCR and quantitative real-time PCR.
- nanodrop spectrophometer for DNA and RNA quantificatuib
- conventional 1- and 2-D gel electrophoresis for RNA, DNA and protein analysis
- Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, also for RNA, DNA and protein analysis
- dedicated electrophoresis room with adjoining dark room equipped with a digital gel capture system or conventional photography (MP4 Landcamera)
- fluorescent and colourmetric plate readers for microplate samples
- microcentrifuges and refrigerated benchtop centrifuge that can process up to six 250 ml samples
- also fume-cupboard and chemical storage areas
Contact information for technical queries
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Dr Keri Page
Marketing Manager
E: keri.page@sams.ac.uk
T: +44 (0) 1631 559 362
Scottish Marine Institute
Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK
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