Hosting marine research for a sustainable future ocean

Controlled environment room

The controlled environment room (CE room) has flow-through temperature-controlled water and is configured into two separate rooms containing:

• A multi-factor experimental room comprised of 27 x 50L aquaria. The room has three temperature control systems each with nine tanks, allowing a second three level factor to be implemented while retaining three replicates in each temperature factor combination (i.e., a 3 x 3 x 3 design). Aquaria are housed in temperature-controlled water baths, allowing in tank temperatures to be maintained at ±0.25°C (or better) of the set value, within the range of 22°C to 36°C. Each aquarium has an in tank wavemaker and an Orphek Atlantic V4 light situated above. These lights provide the capacity to program light regimes.
• Larval rearing room comprising of 2 x 500L and 4 x 80L conical larval tanks. A temperature control system provides water at a set temperature to the entire room. There is also a work bench with multiple seawater outlets.

Open laboratory area

The open laboratory area comprises two separate areas:

• Three 1200L holding systems. Each holding system is temperature controlled to an accuracy of up to ±0. 5°C of the set point with a recirculation flow of 4000L per hour and three full water exchanges a day (water exchange can be increased but this decreases temperature accuracy). The system has programable wavemakers to create changing turbulent flow and 4 x Orphek Atlantic V4 lights, with the capacity to program light regimes.
• 8 x benches that can each hold:
  • 8 x 50L aquaria
  • 4 x 100L aquaria
  • 2 x 200L aquaria
  • 8 x 60L kreisel aquaria
  • or any combination of the above.

All benches are set up as flow through systems supplied by 38°C, ambient water temperature and 20°C seawater that can be manually mixed to a desired temperature manually. There are wavemakers and programmable lights suit all tanks.

Molecular (dry) laboratory

• Zeiss Stemi 305 dissecting and Ziess Primo Star compound microscopes, both with Axiocam 208 colour camera attachments.
• DNA extraction, quantification and amplification capabilities (instruments including QuantStudio, nanodrop spectrophotometer, eGel electrophoresis and imaging).
• PCR thermal cycler (ProFlex PCR machine)
• Eppendorf pipettes, 10 microl, 20 microl, 200 microl and 1000 microl, plus 10 microl multichannel pipette (8 channels).
• Lab coats, gloves, safety glasses provided.
• General consumables provided (plastic ware, glassware, ethanol, millipore water). Check stock with staff prior to arrival.
• Sample storage available (fridge, -20 freezer and -80 freezer).

Wet laboratory

The wet laboratory offers bench space with fresh and salt-water taps and a fume cabinet.

Accommodation

Exmouth Research Lab Accommodation

The researcher accommodation is located about 1.5km from the Exmouth Research Lab and 1.5km from the town centre. The house can sleep up to 15 people across 5 bedrooms and has a shared office space. There is plenty of parking space available, and the house is connected to NBN internet. Gear wash down and laundry facilities are on site, and all linen is provided.

Alternative Accommodation

Exmouth is a major tourism centre so there is a range of accommodation options – from luxurious to low budget. The Ningaloo Centre website is a good source of information on available accommodation. Note, accommodation fills up quickly so any bookings will need to be made well into the future.

The Ningaloo Centre is located at 2 Truscott Cres, Exmouth WA 6707, Australia and can be reached on 08 9949 3070.

Family care

The Minderoo Exmouth Research Lab is a family friendly facility. Please enquire how we can help facilitate family care while you undertake your research.

Vessel

The Minderoo Exmouth Research Lab is located 2km from the Marina boat ramp and 16km from Bundegi boat ramp, allowing for quick access to Exmouth Gulf. Access to the Ningaloo Reef is provided by Tantabiddi boat ramp, located 38km away from the Lab.

Tethys is trailered 7m plate aluminium vessel surveyed to 15nm offshore and a 5-person capacity. Equipped with a Yamaha 225hp outboard motor it has a travel range of approx. 100nm. Features include a Simrad GPS/sounder, 600W puresign wave inverter (for charging sensitive 240- volt electrics, e.g., laptops), 12-volt DC charging (cigarette lighter) and salt/freshwater deck wash.

A coxswain’s certificate and Minderoo sign off is required to skipper Tethys.

Vehicles

The MERL has a Toyota 79 Series Landcruiser (manual) and a Mitsubishi Triton (automatic) which are available primarily for towing vessels and fieldwork transport (please note an Australian driver’s licence is required).

Bench fees

MERL provides in-kind support of facilities for projects that specifically align with the Minderoo Foundation priority themes. This is done through the EoI process, and approved research proposals will receive an allocation of resources through a grant and collaboration agreement.

For approved research proposals, the MERL will provide, if required, vessel and skipper time, vehicles and accommodation. It is important that the requirements are clearly specified in proposals to ensure the lab staff can plan.

Other costs

Support from the MERL will not extend to specific project costs including consumables (including lab reagents), equipment, travel costs, salary costs, food, provisioning, or freight.