Research Group Marine Biology

The Marine Biology research group addresses a broad range of research questions, from understanding fundamental ecological processes to more applied questions on the effects of environmental stress on marine organisms and ecosystems to the management of large-scale impacts, such as global change.

The research within this group has a marine biological focus, especially related to the benthic (bottom) compartment of the sea, while occasionally also water column processes are integrated in the research. The Marine Biology research group is comprehensively equipped with modern instrumentation and laboratory  facilities, allowing it to mimic the natural environment and offering the possibility to investigate small bottom dwelling organisms, such as meiofauna and macrofauna in all their aspects (including taxonomy, ecology, biochemistry, functioning and toxicology). The Marine Biology research group has access to state-of-the-art molecular and chemical lab facilities to perform innovative marine research. Through links with external organizations, both regionally and via numerous international collaborations, this group participates in, amongst others, deep-sea, tropical and polar research.