The ICM-CSIC invests 100,000 euros in scientific equipment

The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) of Barcelona will allocate 100,000 euros to the purchase of scientific equipment to strengthen the scientific-technical capacities of some of the centre’s key services, among which are the computing cluster or the microscopy service.

Specifically, the funds, from the Severo Ochoa Accreditation of Excellence of the Spanish Research Agency, will be used to purchase a device to increase the sensitivity of estimates of nitrate and phosphate concentrations in seawater, a light to improve the identification of marine microorganisms through a fluorescence microscope, a state-of-the-art equipment to measure oceanographic variables and a tool to increase the speed and efficiency of scientific data analysis.

For the equipment selection, their scientific relevance and the added value they can bring to the research carried out at the ICM-CSIC have been taken into account. Likewise, the centre has opted to reinforce the most used equipment by the staff, both from the centre and from outside, such as other research centres and universities.

The funding of the Severo Ochoa Accreditation of Excellence is aimed at acquiring new technical capabilities to open new emerging lines of research. The ICM-CSIC was recognized with this distinction in 2020, becoming the first Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence in the field of marine research.

The accreditation, which is valid for four years and involves funding of four million euros, recognizes the excellence and scientific contributions of research centres on a national and international scale, their social and business impact, and their ability to attract talent.

Among its objectives is to fund and distinguish public research centres and units that have highly competitive, cutting-edge research programs and are among the best in the world in their respective scientific areas.