Work With Us (Summerland Key) | Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

About Our Summerland Key Lab

Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) is 19,000 square feet of research, education, offices, and dormitories, on almost an acre of Lower Florida Keys canal-side property. More than 300 feet of dock space and 120 feet of mangrove-fringed shoreline provide space for resident and visiting research support vessels. IC2R3 provides a base of operations for Mote’s ongoing research and education programs in the Florida Keys, and it is also open to visiting collaborative marine research or collaborative marine education groups.

Below you will find information about available facilities and services. Use the Preliminary Request Form (linked by each item) to get in touch with us, and we will respond to you within three business days of your submitted request. Please let us know if you have special requests such as long-term use of the facility, accommodation of a large group, or use of specific equipment for an educational program or marine research project.

Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration
24244 Overseas Highway,
Summerland Key, FL 33042
(305) 745-2729, ext. 700

Questions? Email our Housing Coordinator.

Available Facilities

Mote's Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration offers the following facilities for use by visiting scientists or groups.

Classroom/Conference Room

A large room is available for use as a classroom or meeting room. Various A/V equipment is available for general use, including overhead projectors, PowerPoint-compatible video projector with laptop, and teleconferencing capabilities. Seating and tables can be configured to accommodate each group’s needs, with a capacity of up to 25 people.

For conferences or meetings, coffee and continental-style breakfast, as well as bag lunches can be arranged.

Classroom Rental Fee:

$60/day (up to 25 people).

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Wetlab Research Laboratories

Mote’s Wetlab Research Laboratories feature an open pressure seawater system that supplies a variety of indoor and outdoor raceways, wet tables, sorting tables, large tanks and a variety of smaller aquaria that are available for use.

Expand the “More Information” section below for more details.

Laboratory Access Costs:

$40/day for up to three people
$25/day for each additional person

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More Information

Outdoor
A total of 12 shallow-water raceways are available for visitor use. Wet tables are covered with 50% light-reducing shadecloth, but lighting/shading can be changed independently among tanks if needed. Six deeper raceway tables are also available for experiments. Substrate, flow rate, shading and aeration can all be altered or controlled depending on the nature of the experiment; however, custom building and system retrofitting will be created at the expense of the visitor. For details about the outdoor research area please visit the Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator facility page.

Indoor
IC2R3 has two separate indoor wetlab facilities connected by a prep lab area located on the second floor of the facility. The prep area is equipped with a fume hood, two freshwater sinks, benchtop workspace, cabinetry and an Amscope articulating dissecting scope. There are 10 total raceways (8’x3’x1′ dimensions) equipped with filtered seawater spigots drawing from the adjacent canal. There is one Ex-Situ Spawning System (coral), one Ex-Situ Recruitment System (coral), and three experimental aquaculture systems (multiple aquarium tanks in each). Each laboratory is also equipped with ample benchtop workspace and both a freshwater and saltwater sink.

Larger holding tanks are located separately, supplied by an independent seawater and filtration system. Shading, flow rates, etc., can all be altered, and all tanks have a clear viewing port installed in the side. Tanks ranging from 4 feet high x 8 feet wide to 6 feet high x 15 feet wide are available, both for short-term holding of specimens, or long-term growth or behavioral studies.

Microbiology & Molecular Biology Dry Laboratories

Our Microbiology and Molecular Biology Dry Laboratories are fully equipped with a variety of instruments, ample bench space, and laboratory assistance upon request.

Expand the “More Information” section below for more details.

Laboratory Access Costs:

$40/day for up to three people
$25/day for each additional person

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More Information

Mote’s Microbiology and Molecular Biology Dry Laboratories are designed for use by visiting scientists, educational groups, and in-house research at Mote. Lab equipment is well maintained and most commonly used items (such as glassware) are readily available. Visitors need only bring non-reusable items (consumables, chemicals, etc.). The lab includes bench space and cabinets, a refrigerator, a -20ºC freezer, two -80ºC freezers, a low-temperature drying oven, an autoclave, mechanical and electronic balances, a benchtop refrigerated centrifuge, vacuum pumps and a variety of microscopes (stereo and compound). A fume hood, a sterile PCR enclosure and incubators are available for microbiology. Deionized water is available, and a separate dry prep room provides space for weighing and mixing chemicals. The lab is also equipped with high-speed internet access at no additional charge for visitors, and a multi-port hub provides internet access for visitors traveling with laptops. Basic computers and a printer are also available for general use, web access and email.

Equipment available to visiting scientists and Mote staff:

qPCR machine (LightCycler® 480 System)
Microplate reader (Synergy H1 Hybrid Multi-Mode)
Microvolume UV-Vis spectrophotometer (NanoDrop™ One)
Thermocyclers (Mastercycler® pro)
Gel electrophoresis system
Microcentrifuge
Centrifuge
Vacuum pressure pump
Orbital shaker(with or without incubator)
Water bath
Table-top autoclave
Balances
Dissecting (stereo) microscopes
Compound microscopes
Incubator
Drying oven
Vortex
Hotplate/stir plates
-20°C freezer
-80°C freezer
4°C refrigerator
PCR enclosure
Fume hood
PAR Meter
3D scanner
Ice maker
YSI meter
Liquid nitrogen dewar
Bench space (6 feet)
Assorted glassware
qPCR machine (QuantStudio 3)
Gel viewer (Omega Fluor plus)
Blue light Transilluminator
Fluorometer (Qubit 4)
Junior PAM

Chemistry Dry Laboratories

Mote’s General Chemistry Laboratory provides benchtop space for visiting scientists to perform analytical analyses. Carbonate Chemistry Laboratory instruments, managed and run by Mote’s staff chemist, are also available on site.

Expand the “More Information” section below for more details.

Laboratory Access Costs:

$40/day for up to three people
$25/day for each additional person

SUBMIT A REQUEST

More Information

The General Chemistry Laboratory provides benchtop space for visiting scientists to perform analytical analyses. This lab includes DI water, E-Pure (carbon free) water and tap water. Other laboratory equipment is available by request such as:

Circulating water bath (VWR)
Analytical balance
Vacuum filter setup
Vacuum pump
Fume hood clamps
Small bench-top incubator
Assorted glassware and accessories

The Carbonate Chemistry Laboratory instruments are available on site. Mote’s staff chemist manages and runs these instruments. Weekly monitoring of the header tanks (total seawater alkalinity, DIC, and pH (including calculation of carbonate chemistry)) is included with use of the Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator (CAOS). Continuous measurements of pH and temperature (from Walchem monitoring probes) will also be provided. The following extra experimental samples can be analyzed by the OA Program staff chemist (only) for a fee:

Automated Titrator for Total Seawater Alkalinity – Metrohm Titration Model 905 Titrando with software. Small sample volume (40 mL) and high precision (± 5µequiv/mg).
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) Analyzer – Apollo SciTech Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Analyzer (Model AS-C3). Small sample volume (1.0 mL), fast response rate (10 minutes per analysis), and high precision (±0.1% or better).
Spectrophotometric Determination of Total pH – OceanOptics Miniature Scanning Spectrophotometer with software. Small sample volume (3 mL).

Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator (CAOS)

The Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator (CAOS) System is a multi-user, outdoor raceway experimental system designed to mimic future ocean acidification (OA) and climate change (CC) scenarios. The present infrastructure can support projects in need of basic flow-through or static seawater access with temperature and pH regulation. Mote’s CAOS system is available for Mote staff, visiting scientists, students and educational groups.

Rental Fees:

Vary based on system and duration.

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Available Support & Services

Mote also offers the following support for visiting scientists and groups at our Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration.

Field Support

We maintain a full-time research and marine operations staff to provide support for most field-based research projects in need of assistance. Staff are fully trained and highly experienced American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) scientific divers, as well as U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) certified and knowledgeable boat captains experienced in a wide variety of field work and research activities. We can provide assistance with:

Boat and dive support for research groups
Sample collection and shipping
Coral surveys, as well as various other benthic surveys
Deploying, maintaining and monitoring in-situ experiments or instrumentation
Water quality monitoring and sampling
Underwater video and photography

Field support costs include Mote vessel usage fees, fuel costs, and Mote’s U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain/dive buddy. For projects that involve distances greater than 25 miles from the lab, special arrangement and additional fees for fuel costs will be required.

Field Support Rates:

Half day (up to four hours) – $300
Full day (up to eight hours) – $500
Additional staff – $35/hour
Scuba tank usage – $6/tank

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Research Vessels & Boat Launch

Mote has several vessels equipped to support a variety of fieldwork. We provide a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain to operate all Mote vessels, and staff are experienced field researchers, fully trained American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) scientific divers, and extremely knowledgeable about the nearby Keys habitats.

R/V Lady Lynne
R/V Lady Lynne is a 25-foot Parker with twin 200 horsepower Mercury four-stroke engines, and is Mote-IC2R3’s primary offshore research vessel. It is capable of carrying up to six divers with full gear (plus captain), and can cruise comfortably at 30 knots. Overall fuel capacity allows for a working range of more than 300 miles. Ample space below provides storage for equipment. A large, rear dive platform and custom dive ladder allow for easy entry and exit with gear and equipment.

R/V Eugenie Clark
The R/V Eugenie Clark (46 feet), based year-round at Mote’s main facility in Sarasota, is also available by special arrangement for extended offshore operations in the Keys.

Boat Launch
For non-Mote visiting scientists wishing to trailer and launch their own vessels, several small boat ramps are located nearby, and ample dock space is available. Several boat rental businesses are also conveniently located on Summerland Key for those wishing to rent small boats for use without IC2R3 staff assistance.

Vessel Rental Rates:

Research Vessel rental rates are included in the Field Support costs described above.

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Additional Information

Please see below for additional information related to using our facilities at IC2R3. Additional inquiries can be emailed to KeysAdmin@mote.org.

Scuba Requirements & Training

Mote Marine Laboratory is a member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and follows all of its rules and regulations. Our staff includes highly trained and experienced AAUS scientific divers who are available to provide assistance with most aspects of field work. Individuals interested in diving at IC2R3 must provide a Letter of Reciprocity (for AAUS members) or meet the requirements required to be considered a “Temporary Diver” at Mote.

For more information, visit our Scuba Requirements & Training page.

Dockage Space

Boat rentals are also available locally at several nearby locations for short or long-term use, and may be docked at the lab for a fee, space permitting. Upon submission of your Facilities Use Request Form, our staff will contact you to discuss availability and verify rates.

Large Vehicle or Trailer Space

Vehicle and trailer storage is available depending on space and duration — call for details and cost.

Equipment Storage

No equipment or supplies can be stored on site due to space limitations.

Billing Information

We will add 7.5% sales tax, and when applicable, 7% facilities rental tax and 5% Monroe County bed tax. To receive Florida tax exemption on fees, please provide your Florida tax exemption certificate and note that payment must be made with an organization procurement card or organization check.