Set to be built at East Sands, the state of the art marine biology lab will replace the internationally renowned but now outdated Gatty Marine facility.

Designs have been commissioned for a new 2,256 square metre research building and a ‘smart’ aquarium that will be the most technologically advanced in the UK.

The new facility will provide a global hub for marine research focused on conservation and understanding the effects of climate change on the world’s oceans.

It will be the permanent base of the Scottish Oceans Institute which includes the world leading Sea Mammal Research Unit, and the executive office of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS).

The modern marine biological research being undertaken at St Andrews exploits advances in remote sensing, DNA technology, microscopy and analytical capabilities that rely on a new kind of aquarium.

The new aquarium will cater for extensive environmental monitoring and control of temperature, lighting, pH, oxygen, salinity, ammonia and nitrates.

Specialist rooms with climate control will allow electronic and optical equipment to co-exist with culture facilities supplied with running seawater.

This will support sophisticated long-term experiments on adaptation of organisms to climate change.

The building will also incorporate a Public Outreach Centre, taking advantage of its location on the Fife Coastal Path, allowing St Andrews to play a lead role in furthering public interest in and understanding of the oceans and the unique ecosystem of the North Sea.

Professor Garry Taylor, Acting Principal at the University, said: “The rebuilding of the Gatty is a high priority in our strategic plan. Marine research has taken place here for over 100 years, but its potential has now substantially outgrown the reality of its present facilities.

“By investing in a new state of the art facility, we are investing in the highest quality of international marine research and the reputation of St Andrews and Scotland as leaders and pioneers in this increasingly important branch of science.”

The University is currently fundraising to support the new labs and is in discussion with potential major partners. It will apply for planning permission for the development early this year.