Marine Research Labs and facilities
Faculty of Marine Sciences
The Faculty of Marine Sciences is located on the coast of the seaside community of Mikhmoret and enjoys direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and a small marina. The campus is distinguished by, among other aspects, its unique seawater labs that enable research on marine agriculture and are outfitted with the latest infrastructure and equipment for marine education, sampling, and research. The faculty also enjoys the use of the EcoOcean nonprofit’s sophisticated research vessel, which has the ideal equipment for teaching and researching marine sciences.
The Faculty of Marine Science Teaching and Research Labs
Biology Lab:
The lab is used to study marine organisms, invertebrates, and vertebrates. It is equipped with microscopes, measuring tools, fume hoods, and tools and devices for collecting and neutering samples. It also has a large collection of bivalves and shells as well as a collection of Mediterranean fish. Within the framework of this lab, an ichthyology research lab operates that is equipped with two sustainable systems for cultivating fish, including transgenic fish. Medical research on muscular dystrophy, based on the zebrafish, is being conducted in this lab. The Faculty of Marine Sciences has an ethics committee that must approve all research initiatives on animals.
Two Chemistry Labs:
These labs are equipped with measuring devices, spectrophotometers, DNA transcription equipment, fume hood, centrifuges, fumigation systems, and additional tools needed to perform chemistry and biochemistry experiments. They also have two incubators to raise algae to use in research. The chemistry labs also are used for teaching microbiology, biochemistry, and the introductory course in molecular biology.
Molecular Biology Lab:
This sophisticated lab for teaching molecular biology and genetic engineering has equipment for high-quality DNA transcription and real-time quantification measurements. It also has many centrifuges and chemical and biological fume hoods, sophisticated spectrophotometers, analysis tools, florescent microscopes, incubators, qualitative DNA tools, and small equipment. There is a research lab for molecular biology and genetic engineering next to the teaching lab. This lab has advanced microscopes, DNA transcription equipment, a device for stretching needles and injecting cells, a cell sorter, and additional multipurpose research tools.
Natural Products Lab:
This lab is for teaching topics related to the use of natural products that originate from marine organisms. It has an HPLC equipment, an advanced computer-monitored bioreactor, evaporation equipment, table and floor centrifuges, spectrophotometers, fume hoods, analytical and recording tools for neurophysiological research, DNA transcription equipment, advanced microscopes, and a wealth of smaller tools.
Running seawater Lab:
This lab is located near the coast and it has systems that pumps directly filtered and unfiltered seawater as well as fresh-well water throughout the year. The marine organisms are housed in special pools and aquiaria with circulating sea water. A research lab operates within it that is outfitted with microscopes, measuring tools, and multipurpose equipment for the study of marine organisms. In addition to researchers from the faculty of Marine Sciences, researchers from several Israeli universities and institutes also conduct research in this unique lab.
Research Vessel:
Students and faculty have access to a sophisticated research vessel, the R/V Mediterranean Explorer, which is used for oceanographic and marine biology studies. It belongs to the EcoOcean nonprofit organization, which promotes marine science education at various levels, from youth to academia. The nonprofit put this sophisticated vessel at the disposal of research and teaching institutions in Israel.
The Faculty of Marine Sciences and the Ruppin Academic Center thank EcoOcean for generously making its research vessel available for our use since 2004.
Computer Labs:
The Mikhmoret campus has approximately 100 computer stations equipped with an extensive selection of software to enable students to write and process the material they are learning as well as to surf the internet freely. The computers are accessible until late at night. A wireless network is accessible from much of the campus, providing all with fast internet access. The computer unit includes a support staff that provides comprehensive computing solutions and assistance to students and faculty at all hours of the day.
