Single-celled algae are essential for life on our planet, but they aren’t often associated with pioneering breakthroughs in neuroscience. However, this year’s Nobel Prize for medicine, awarded to Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel and Karl Deisseroth for research into ‘light-gated ion channels and optogenetics’ came directly from work examining the swimming of tiny green algae. Peter … Read more
The National Marine Biological Library (NMBL), housed in the Marine Biological Association’s historic Laboratory building on Citadel Hill, Plymouth, recently celebrated the outstanding contribution of two of the charity’s most dedicated volunteers who have given 10 years of their time and skills to supporting the NMBL.
DASSH, the UK Archive for Marine Species and Habitats Data, has begun an exciting new collaboration with Natural England to support the next phase of development of the Marine Citizen Science Network (MCSN).
The PlyMSEF Medal Lecture is a prestigious annual event celebrating significant contributions to marine science. It provides an opportunity to hear from leading researchers and celebrate Plymouth’s internationally recognised marine science community. Date: Wednesday 11 November 2026 Time: 6:15–8:00 pm Speaker: Professor Colin Brownlee, Marine Biological Association. This year’s lecture is titled Animal, vegetable and … Read more
The Marine Biological Association (MBA) has been awarded a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Urgency Grant to investigate the biological effects of the severe-to-extreme marine heatwave recently recorded in the English Channel, southern North Sea and Bay of Biscay.
We’re delighted to share that an eye-catching cover of The Marine Biologist magazine has been shortlisted for Cover of the Year at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards 2026.
A researcher from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) has been awarded a prestigious grant to support her research into the mysterious deep-diving behaviour of whale sharks. Postdoctoral Research Scientist Dr Freya Womersley has been named a recipient of the 2026 Rolex Explorers Club Grant. Her project, Into the Deep: Unlocking the Hidden Depths of Whale … Read more
MBA scientists Dr Glen Wheeler and Professor Colin Brownlee have contributed to a special issue of Botanica Marina on the ‘Physiology of marine photoautotrophs’ that celebrates the life and work of Prof John Raven FRS. John was a leader in the field of evolution and physiology of plants and algae and had close links to … Read more
MBA Postgraduate Member Molly Blyth shares an honest insight into life as a marine biology PhD researcher, from conducting coral reef fieldwork in Indonesia and presenting at international conferences to navigating data analysis, deadlines and the day-to-day realities of postgraduate research. If you were asked to picture a Marine Biology PhD researcher, you would probably … Read more
The Marine Biological Association’s UK Archive for Marine Species and Habitats Data (DASSH) has achieved a significant international milestone, becoming one of only a few organisations worldwide to receive endorsement through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO’s International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) Quality Management Framework (QMF).
The Marine Biological Association
The Laboratory,
Citadel Hill Plymouth,
Devon
PL1 2PB, UK
The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom is a registered charity in England and Wales (1155893), and is a company limited by Royal Charter (RC000865). The Marine Biological Association conducts, promotes and supports scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea.