Our instruments and equipment enable projects from the molecular biology level to monitoring animals in the field.
Our 24-hour access stores are well stocked with general laboratory and field equipment, and you can hire vehicles for working in the field.
Our inventory of laboratory instruments, field equipment and vehicle hire options is outlined below. Equipment lists are updated regularly but items and availability are subject to change.
Contact us to discuss your equipment needs before you arrive at the station.
Use our spectrophotometer units to analyse chlorophyll or natural products, or to quantify, for example, nitrogen enrichment by bacteria farmed by crabs. Our Cary 60 spectrophotometer has an optional probe for external samples, and an accessory for temperature control, while the Hach DR5000 works with kits to easily quantify water pollutants and nutrients.
Our advanced BioTek Synergy 2 plate reader can rapidly quantify microplate contents (UV/vis or luminescence). It’s currently used for whale endocrinology (ELISA assays). Our compatible equipment takes advantage of microplates, and includes a multichannel micropipette, shaker, washer, centrifuge, fraction collectors and an HPLC sample injector.
Centrifugal concentrators gently evaporate solvents from laboratory samples using a strong vacuum with low power centrifugation to stop the sample spilling. Evaporated solvent is collected in a cold trap to prevent venting. Our large Speedvac system’s very low temperature chemical trap (below -100°C) is suited to a wide range of solvents. 
Choose from a refrigerated Sigma 1-16K (20000 xg) microcentrifuge and non-refrigerated Sigma 1-14 (16000 xg) microcentrifuge, with rotors for microcentrifuge or haematocrit tubes. A slower (2000 xg) Corning LSE mini centrifuge has an optional strip tube rotor and adaptors for smaller tubes. Larger tubes and microplates use a refrigerated benchtop centrifuge.
Laboratory-grade water (18.2MΩ resistance) is supplied by an Elga Flex 2 ultrapure water system. This UV-treated water is dispensed via a flexible delivery arm, and you can choose between sensitive hand- or foot-operated manual dispensers, or pre-program a desired volume.
Researchers and teaching groups can examine areas that are too deep (up to 100 metres), dangerous, expensive or inconvenient to access, using our highly manoeuvrable Bluerobotics Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The unit streams live video and depth information to the surface, and potentially a lecture theatre. Users can grab or deploy items, or attach extra research instruments.
GPR, a non-destructive means of imaging subsurfaces 10 to 30 metres underground, has applications across geology, archaeology and environmental science. UQ researchers have recently used our GPR to explore indigenous sites, investigate ruins of an early European fort, and map the perching layers of Swallow Lagoon, the world’s highest perched lake.
Moreton Bay and North Stradbroke Island's many unusual freshwater wetlands and intertidal zones exhibit a range of abiotic conditions. Our Horiba U52 multiprobe water quality meters allow simultaneous measurement of many parameters. The units measure pH, temperature, turbidity, salinity, conductivity, redox potential, oxygen and depth (to 30 metres).
Equipment installation
You’ll need approval to install specialised equipment at the station.
For more information, email us at mbrs@uq.edu.au.
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