The IMEV is a research federation bringing together and supporting the research activity of 2 UMRs: the Villefranche Oceanography Laboratory (LOV) and the Developmental Biology Laboratory of Villefranche sur Mer (LBDV). These 2 UMRSs are developing research areas related to Marine Science and Technology, aiming on the one hand at a better understanding of marine ecosystems as a whole (LOV) and on the other hand at studying marine organisms to better understand the mechanisms of life (LBDV). The study of biodiversity and its evolution/adaptation is one of the themes shared by the 2 UMRs. One of IMEV's major missions is Observation, with contributions to several SNOs (SOMLIT, MOOSE) SO (Argo France), analysis and support services of INSU (SAPIGH, trap cell).