Biological resources
Biological resources
We supply biological resources for your research
Biological resources are living organisms and materials derived from them that are used for scientific research.
At CCMAR, we provide live marine organisms for experimentation in our Experimental facilities or for other remote studies, such as model marine organisms and reared aquaculture animals. We can also obtain live marine organisms directly from the natural environment through our Ecosystem access service.
Our scientific and technical team will support your research with their extended experience and know-how in rearing animals and by providing taxonomy services.
Model marine organisms
Model organisms are used to study specific biological processes and different research areas, such as genetics, evolutionary biology, and neuroscience. They are usually chosen because of their easy maintenance and reproduction in a laboratory environment, short reproduction cycles or the ability to generate mutations for studying certain aspects or diseases.
At CCMAR, we often provide and mantain marine model organisms such as mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), tilapia (Oreochromis spp), medaka or japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes), betta (Betta splendens), and zebra fish (Danio rerio).
Reared aquaculture animals
Our facilities allow for the rearing and provision of animals for experimentation with special emphasis on senegalese sole (Sole senegalensis), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), european seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus and H. hippocampus) and several species of macroalgae.
The centre has extensive expertise in sole (Solea senegalensis) reproduction and nutrition, namely reproduction induction, sperm cryopreservation and quality, as well as, nutritional physiology, feeding and nutrition of fish larvae and juveniles.
The centre has extensive expertise in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) reproduction and nutrition, namely reproduction induction, sperm cryopreservation and quality, as well as, nutritional physiology, feeding and nutrition of fish larvae and juveniles.
The centre has extensive expertise in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) nutrition, namely nutritional physiology, feeding and nutrition of fish juveniles
Seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus and H.hippocampus) are other animals under culture since there is a captive breeding program that allows the study of the two species existing in the Ria Formosa, focusing namely on their dietary requirements.
The breeding in captivity is standardized which allows the use of these species in research experiments in captivity, both on ecology and seahorse nutrition.
The evolution of the local wild populations is currently being monitored and a conservation programme is being developed including the implementation of marine protected areas for seahorses and habitat restoration.
We also can also provide, for specific purposes, specimens of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and sea cucumber.
Biobank
The CCMAR Biobank is a provider of biological resources that establishes and maintains phenotypes, genetically characterises organisms and facilitates sustainable, transparent and regulated access to biological samples of macroalgae and microorganisms associated with marine organisms, such as seagrasses, macroalgae and corals.
Created as part of the Portuguese Blue Biobank network, we maintain and distribute biological samples that have been collected in Portuguese ecosystems, but also in other countries around the world. Our main mission is to preserve marine biodiversity, focusing on ecologically and economically important Portuguese macroalgae species with strong potential for restoration and/or aquaculture.
How can you make a request?
Send us an expression of interest by email (ccmarcts@ualg.pt / ccmarassemble@ualg.pt). Payment instructions will be sent upon receiving the request.
Note: To confirm the order, the User must read the Terms and Conditions and complete and sign an Order Form and a Material Transfer Agreement.
Services provided
Some of the services supplied by the biobank include provision of starter cultures, isolation of strains, juvenile macroalgae starting material for diverse end users (e.g., farmers, habitat restoration), training and consulting services.
The CCMAR biobank aims to play a key role in the protection of national marine resources and in its economic valorization in international chains.
Strain collection
Strains of several species of macroalgae can be provided, as well as their associated bacteria for diverse purposes.
Macroalgae and microbiome sampling, identification and strain isolation
The biobank can sample macroalgal specimens, their microbiome, provide taxonomic identification through morphology and DNA barcoding, and isolate for diverse end users (e.g., research, aquaculture industry, and society). The strains can be maintained and grown in the biobank.
Macroalgae and microbiome for restoration and aquaculture
The biobank can cultivate macroalgal strains from different Portuguese populations and deliver juvenile starting material of different sizes grown free floating, on seeding twine or natural substrates ready for the direct seeding process or habitat restoration actions. The biobank also performs the transplants together with the CCMAR scientific diving centre.
Consulting
We provide consulting services by:
delivering advice and support related to macroalgae cultivation (e.g., optimization of reproduction and seeding methods),
biobank establishment,
habitat restoration (e.g., which species to reintroduce and/or location).
Our expertise helps aquaculture companies to optimize seaweed production.
Sampling organisms in the wild
Our location allows the access to biological resources from different coastal and estuarine ecosystems of the south of Portugal and the Southwest corner of Europe (See Access Ecosystems), where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean Sea.
We are particularly close to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, providing privileged access to the intertidal and subtidal zones of this coastal lagoon.
Taxonomy services
Accurate taxonomic identification of invertebrates, fish, marine plants, algae, and macroalgae can be requested. Our team has a vast expertise in marine science and marine organisms which enables it to offer this high-quality service based on taxonomic microscopy or molecular biology tools.
For more information about our services:
Please contact: ccmarcts@ualg.pt
Important requirements
- Users must hold an animal experimentation certificate from Felasa to carry out procedures with live animals.
- In Portugal, a license to carry out procedures with live animals must be required in advance to the national authorities (DGAV). We can help you with that.
- To collect organisms from the natural environment, a licence for collection must also be required in advance to the national authorities. We can also help with that.