During early August 2020, the Mobil Laboratory (Labobus) for scientific and outreach activities in the frame of SATREPS MACH project have arrived at UFRO. Labobus has entirely been financed by SATREPS MACH project and will be maintained and operated by UFRO.
The vehicle has been accessorized with big logos of MACH project. Actually, all the necessary equipment to make analysis and DNA sequence of sea water sample has been purchased to install inside the Labobus.
The main purpose of the Labobus is to on board quick DNA sequence of algal species that cause Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) at coast side of Chile and in collaboration with scientific project team, Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP), Los Lagos University and Antofagasta University. Also, it is very important to mention the outreach activities including visiting different cities to demonstrate and discuss the importance of microbial interaction in HAB species. Additionally, we also emphasize to general public (scholars, fishermen, politic authorities, and students etc) the importance of a quick detection of HAB causing species and promote social consciousness of this environmental issue.
With this new pandemic throughout the world, we are obligated to change the way we demonstrate and reach to the general public, however hopefully we can get in touch with people who may be interested in our project and outreach activities.