Research capacity is getting a big boost at the Marine Science Research Facility with the arrival of six new Percival incubators.

The equipment is destined for setup at the Rhode Island NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) core facility on the University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus.

The incubators are temperature- and light-controlled chambers designed for growing and maintaining live marine microorganisms such as algae, bacteria, and zooplankton.

They keep microorganisms at a constant temperature similar to what they would experience in the ocean. This is usually colder than ambient air temperature, but not necessarily. Most marine microbes are very sensitive to temperature and will quickly die if they get too warm or too cold.

Just like plants on land, microscopic marine algae need light to grow and thrive. However, the algae, which are very sensitive to light levels and need light to survive, can die if exposed to too much light.

Scientists can use the chambers to grow and maintain cultures of microorganisms used in experimental research. They can investigate the effects of temperature, light, and/or other factors, conducting experiments within the chambers. And, with the multiple chambers available, the MSRF can accommodate experiments with multiple levels of temperature or light.

The incubators, slated to be up and running by April 2015, add to the existing research capacity at the MSRF and offer the new capability of being mobile. They can be used both on campus and aboard the research vessel, the Endeavor.

Scientists conducting research at sea will have the equipment available either for use on the boat or immediately upon their return, so they can rely on the chambers to keep valuable and fragile specimens alive for future research.

For more information, contact Lucie Maranda or Malcolm MacFarland.

— Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR