Dunstaffnage is  home to Aquapharm Biodiscovery Ltd., Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), GlycoMar and SAMS, employing over 135 scientists leading many national and international research programmes.

Molecular Tools Europe Ltd supplies products to the global life science market involved in molecular and diagnostic research. It has exclusive three-year agreements for the supply of around 1,000 molecular biology reagents and enzymes.

The business, originally set up by Evolution Is Ltd in January 2008, has now outgrown its current premises. It plans to relocate to the ECMB where it has negotiated the lease of laboratory and office space with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).

An additional two full time employees are to be recruited by the business to focus on research work. Their main involvement will be in three distinct areas of research including partnership collaboration to develop new product lines and enhancing existing products.

Dr Frank Rinaldi, director for Molecular Tools Ltd, said: "Moving to the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology will be of great benefit to our business, allowing us to expand adding an additional two employees to the team. This is the natural next phase for our business, many exciting synergies are possible with the companies already in place that will create value added products for the market."

Lachie Beaton, development manager for HIE in Argyll said: "Molecular Tools Europe Ltd will be a welcome addition to the growing marine science hub at Dunstaffnage and its growth into research and development will be complemented by the wealth of knowledge already available in the area."

The molecular biology reagent market is currently worth around $13.7bn worldwide. Molecular Tools Europe Ltd is hoping to gain a share of this growing market via the supply of novel products developed at the research and development site.

Web: http://www.moletoolseurope.com/tech.php