The MEGAMER Facility was created to provide support and a collaborative environment for University of California, Santa Cruz scientists, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF) sponsored investigators, visiting scientists and postdoctoral researchers. In addition, this facility is designed to provide an interdisciplinary environment to link biological oceanographers with engineers and instrument developers working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and elsewhere. The MEGAMER facility has several designed outputs from which priority use of equipment and accommodations are derived.

Output #1  Development of flow cytometric methods for marine microbiology-

Purpose: To develop flow cytometric methods for probing marine microbial communities to better understand population dynamics and ocean biogeochemistry.

Output #2  Design and implement probes for in situ detection and characterization of microbes on the Environmental Sample Processor-

Purpose: To develop probes for implementation on remote instrumentation for assaying microbial community composition and physiological status. To develop a system by which visiting scientists or UCSC researchers can more easily port candidate probes for use on array and qPCR modules on the Environmental Sample Processor

Output #3  Experimental testing of probes for in situ detection-

Purpose: To test gene expression probes under different environmental and physiological conditions, for implementation on the ESP.

Output #4  Investigation of processes that govern cyanobacterial distributions in the California Current System using advanced physical and ecosystem models-

Purpose: To use forward and data assimilative three-dimensional circulation and ecosystem models of the California Current System to understand the interaction between ocean physics and biology that control ocean ecology and ocean health

A system for prioritizing MEGAMER facility use by visiting scientist has been generated to insure that lab management is able to provide the conveniences necessary to ensure the success of the proposed outcomes. Priority use of the facility is deemed outright use of the lab's workspace, the facility apartment and truck, and lab equipment (with the exception of the flow cytometer whose weekly schedule is more rigorously monitored- see link).

Priority #1- Top priority is given to research directly related to Outputs #1-4 described above.

Priority #2- A second level of priority is given to research that entails the development of new technologies enabling the study of microorganisms in Monterey Bay via remote sensing.

Priority #3- A third level of priority is given to research with a microbiological theme.

Use of the facility is always available to UCSC or non UCSC researcher on a first come, first serve basis on dates in which visiting scientist have not made prior arrangements.

Visiting scientist interested in making use of the MEGAMER facility's equipment and accommodations are asked to submit a formal request to lab management for review by the facilities principle investigators. A formal request (no longer than 2 pages) should include 1) a short introduction, 2) a summary of your proposed work, 3) a justification for the use of the facility's equipment and accommodations, 4) a list of the studies' participants and 5) a time frame for your proposed trip and use of the facility. Deadlines for submission of a formal request are as follows:

Visiting scientist with a "Priority #1" research theme are asked to submit requests for use of the facility and the facility accommodations at least three months in advance of arrival.

Visiting scientist with a "Priority #2" research theme are asked to schedule use of the facility and the facility accommodations no more than ninety days and at least two months in advance of arrival.

Visiting scientist with a "Priority #3" research theme are asked to schedule use of the facility and the facility accommodations no more than 60 days and at least one month in advance of arrival.

Request submitted by visiting scientist with high priority research after the proposed dealine will be accepted pending vacancies.

Vacancy not filled by the above priorities maybe filled at anytime after the proposed deadlines.

Formal Request may be submitted electronically via Email or vial snail mail at the address listed here.

 

Currently, the MEGAMER facility (lab and accommodations) is available for use free of charge. Users are provided with the basic supplies necessary to conduct routine wet chemistry experiments, to run samples on the flow cytometer and the flow cam, and to perform basic molecular biology. Users are asked to bring their own reagents and specialized disposables for those not-so-routine procedures and for those experiments that are deemed especially costly. Please write the lab manager if you'd like further clarifications as to what this means. Please note, at present we are unable to accommodate research using radioactivity.

The MEGAMER facility will not always be free so take advantage of the situations as it stands!