Award-Winning Science
Research at the MBL
The MBL is dedicated to scientific discovery – exploring fundamental biology, understanding biodiversity and the environment, and informing the human condition through research and education.
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Starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis)
Starlet sea anemone. Credit: Dee Sullivan
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91鶹 is a world-renowned scientific institution, and scientists and students come to the MBL throughout the year to pursue research and education in diverse areas of fundamental biological discovery.

The Division of Research encompasses all research programs at the Laboratory, including the development and management of research services, research budgets, the assignment of research space, the disbursement of research awards and fellowships, training and education for the responsible conduct of scientific research, IACUC, IRB, and guidance for graduate and postdoctoral trainees.

The Division also works closely with the Office of the President/Director to develop new strategic research initiatives and to manage all faculty appointments, promotions, and mentoring.

Learn more about our strategic initiatives

Our Research Centers

Research at the MBL takes place throughout the year in a number of research centers:

Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology & Evolution

Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering

The Ecosystems Center

Whitman Center

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Research Resources

Research resources to support ongoing discovery at the MBL.

Marine Resources Center

National Xenopus Resource (NXR)

The Microbiome Center

Imaging Resources

Central Microscopy Facility

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MBL/UChicago PhD Graduate Program

The newly established joint program between the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and the University of Chicago (UChicago) leverages the unique partnership between two leading research institutions and combines the best of both worlds – access to a collaborative and expansive research environment that spans the scales of biological discovery at the MBL in Woods Hole, MA and the first-class resources of the University of Chicago. 

learn more about the MBL/UChicago PhD Graduate Program
Funding Opportunities

91鶹 has several funding opportunities for those who wish to come to the MBL to do research either collaboratively or individually throughout the year:

Whitman Center Fellowships

Edwin Barbey Charitable Trust Fellowship

Grass Foundation Fellowships

Who's Here

Faculty and Whitman Scientists

Researchers and Support Staff

MBL Fellows

MBL Postdoctoral Association

MBL Toolbox

Everything you need to get started at the MBL.

Campus Information

Come Back to the MBL

Animal Care and Support

Equipment, Supplies and Facilities

Research Policies and Procedures

Order An Organism

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More Information

Research Administration

Office of Sponsored Programs

Health and Safety

MBLWHOI Library

Scientific Publications

An Octopus Emerges

Captured by MBL Hibbitt Fellow Caroline Albertin, this video shows California two-spot octopuses (Octopus bimaculoides) emerging from their egg casings.