Research laboratories and aquariums

Moreton Bay Research Station has four laboratories and a wet laboratory/reticulated aquarium system to enable research.

Researchers and teachers from UQ and other Australian and international institutions can use our facilities.

See our inventory of instruments and equipment that enable field and laboratory projects.

Our laboratories

Our laboratories observe international health and safety standards and house standard equipment. Specialised equipment is available on request.

Biochemistry laboratory

Capabilities and equipment:

• PC2-capable (requires prior certification)
• fume hood
• laboratory fridge and conventional fridge-freezer
• -80°C freezer
• RO/Ultrapure water
• refrigerated microcentrifuge.

Biosafety laboratory

Capabilities and equipment:

• PC2-capable (requires prior certification)
• light control/dark room capability
• biosafety cabinet
• laboratory space to set up equipment and experiments.

Equipment laboratory

Capabilities and equipment:

• trinocular research microscopes with digital photography capabilities
  • compound microscope (light and dark field, phase contrast)
  • fluorescence microscope
  • dissecting stereo microscopes
• PCRs and electrophoresis equipment
• chromatography equipment (HPLC and BioRad LP system)
• Speed-vac concentrator
• anti-vibration microscope table
• nitrogen generator.

General-purpose laboratory

Capabilities and equipment:

• refrigerated bench centrifuge
• UV-Vis spectrophotometers
• autoclave
• drying oven
• chemical storage cabinets.

Aquarium laboratory

Capabilities and equipment:

• 20,000-litre recirculating system
• two 4000-litre tanks and a 10,000-litre tank
• 3 racks that fit 12 standard tanks/rack
• 1000-litre self-contained aquarium that can be isolated from the main system
• freshwater or seawater tanks.

Seawater is pumped in from Moreton Bay. We maintain high water quality through regular changes and daily monitoring.