The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is dedicated to scientific discovery and improving the human condition through research and education in biology, biomedicine, and environmental science. Founded in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in 1888, the MBL is a private, nonprofit corporation.

Scientists and affiliated staff
A corps of more than 270 scientists and support personnel pursue research year-round. The staff is joined each year by more than 400 visiting scientists, summer staff, and research associates from hundreds of institutions around the world. The MBL Corporation has 436 members.

Award-Winning Science
Among the scientists with a significant affiliation with the MBL (scientists, course faculty and students) are 54 Nobel Prize winners (since 1929); 118 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators, early career scientists, international researchers, and professors (since 1960); 196 Members of the National Academy of Sciences (since 1960); and 171 Members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 1960).

Educational Programs
MBL Discovery Courses: 21 courses providing advanced, laboratory-based research training in fields such as cellular physiology, embryology, neurobiology, and microbiology, including 477 students from 297 institutions and 35 countries (in 2010); and faculty, staff, and lecturers from 249 institutions and 39 countries.

“K through forever” educational programs ranging from K-12 teacher training, undergraduate education
and independent research, graduate training, the Brown-MBL Graduate Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences, postdoctoral training, and community continuing education programs.

Scientific Conferences
The MBL hosts scientific meetings, conferences, and departmental retreats, accommodating annually more than 3,500 participants from around the world.

MBL Pierce Visitors Center
The Pierce Center is a 600-square-foot exhibit center designed to educate the public about the work of MBL scientists. The center also features a gift shop that sells MBL clothing and gift items. Visitors to the center include visiting tourists, MBL scientists (many of whom are prominent researchers from around the world), students, and conferees. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people visit the center each year.