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Station Biologique de Roscoff

The Station Biologique de Roscoff (SBR) located on the Brittany coast of the English Channel is a research and training centre in marine biology and oceanography, jointly operated by the CNRS and the University Pierre and Marie Curie (UPMC).

The SBR was founded in 1872, in a location chosen for its very large tidal amplitude (9.60m) and its proximity to sandy and rocky shores, with high biomass and exceptional diversity of marine organisms. Today, the missions of the SBR are: 1) to promote research and education on the biology of marine organisms and ecosystems; 2) to provide access, both for staff and non-resident researchers, to the ecological and biological resources of the site; and 3) to carry out long-term observations of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the coastal environment in the vicinity of Roscoff.

As a fully equipped sea-front laboratory with state-of-the-art facilities, the SBR provides a unique scientific and technical environment for researchers, both permanent and non-resident, who wish to apply modern approaches to the study of marine organisms, notably micro- and macroalgae, invertebrates, and fish. It is also a very active marine biological resource centre, providing access to marine biological models both on-site and remotely through the shipping throughout Europe of live or fixed organisms.

The SBR also offers teaching facilities (including practical labs for up to 65 students), a library with a focus on marine sciences, as well as facilities for accommodating visiting scientists (labs, housing, subsistence, conference rooms). In addition, the SBR is an Oceanographic Observatory (OSU) of the National Institute of Earth Sciences and Astronomy (INSU). It participates in the French Coastal Waters Monitoring network (SOMLIT - http://www.domino.u-bordeaux.fr/somlit_national/), which involves regular measurements of physical, chemical and biological parameters of coastal waters. Since 1977, the SBR has also been monitoring long-term variability of macro-benthic communities in the Bay of Morlaix. These databases provide a reference for the evaluation of possible natural or human-induced alterations and constitute an essential resource for understanding of the annual variability of biodiversity in relation to climate change.

Installations to which access is offered

• Platform: integrative biology platforms with full access to equipment and technical support.

  Genomic facilities

  Proteomic facilities

  X-ray crystallography facilities

  Bioinformatics facilities

  Microscopy facilities

• Marine facilities: research vessels (12m, 7m and inflatables) and diving facilities with access to all research equipment and technical support from the vessel crew.
• Marine model sample: provision of samples of (i) collection of biological material from natural populations and when necessary temporary maintenance in aquariums, or (ii) breeding/culture of marine organisms. Shipment costs are not included but will be charged to the user. See Guidelines and Conditions before applying.
• Roscoff Culture Collection (RCC) strain: provision of one algal / protistan strain from the collection (minimum shipment 10 strains). Shipment costs are not included. Please visit the RCC web site for the catalogue of strains, guidelines & conditions and a separate order form.

Application form here.

Contact

Web site: http://www.sb-roscoff.fr

Contact general: Ian Probert (probert@sb-roscoff.fr)

Contact RCC: rcc@sb-roscoff.fr