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• Selected projects and resulting achievements

Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences - Eilat

The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences (IUI), situated near Eilat in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, has been in operation since 1968, and is a national facility shared by all universities in Israel.

Its mission is to provide Israeli and foreign universities with research and teaching capabilities in marine biology and oceanography.

The Red Sea's pelagic system is characterized by a photic zone (0-200 m depth) with permanently stratified, nutrient deplete and crystal clear surface waters, and an aphotic zone (200-2500 m depth) where water temperature never drops below 20.7°C. The coastal zone of the Red Sea is an ecologically unique marine system of outstanding regional environmental and economic importance. The northern head of the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba is home to one of the most extensive, diverse and colourful coral reefs with many endemic species of marine invertebrates and fish. The coral reef in particular provides a vital research platform for the study of human impacts on marine ecosystems. A permanent accessible data-base facilitates the formation of scientific recommendations for measures to be taken to preserve the delicate and indispensable marine ecosystem of the Gulf and to ensure a sustainable balance between the marine ecosystem and ongoing human development in the region.

The IUI has strong expertise in coral reef biology, phytoplankton ecology, biogeochemistry and microbiology and impressive databases in these fields have been acquired over the years. A tropical coral reef begins at the IUI station beach and a deep oceanic water body can be reached from the Institute's 50-meter long pier within 10 minutes sailing.

Installations to which access is offered

• Laboratories and Equipment: Access to all basic laboratory and research equipment and technical support from staff.

Molecular facilities for DNA, RNA and protein work.

Standard lab facilities (autoclave, centrifuges, ventilation hoods) including an array of fluorometery devices, PAMs*, FRRF*, fluorometers with 77K fluorescence apparatus, C1 Nikon confocal, flow camera, EPI fluorescence microscopes, Beta particle counter.

Aquarium rooms, outdoor tanks and running sea water for work on living organisms.

Fully equipped diving facility with technical diving team support.

Photographic dark room, meteorological station, and computer room.

Library: the most comprehensive reference collection of marine science in Israel.

*Use of PAM / FRRF requires advance approval

• Large Research Vessel: 15 m long, carrying up to 15 people, equipped with open sea oceanographic gear (CTD, Rosette, STD, fluorometers, ADCP's. Access to all research equipment and technical support from vessel crew.
• Small Vessels: Two 8 m boats with access to all research equipment and technical support from vessel crew.

Application form here.

Contact

Web site: http://www.iui-eilat.ac.il

Contact person: Simon Berkowicz  berkowi@vms.huji.ac.il