[2] CSM is grouped into three departments aimed at studying the functioning of organisms in order to acquire better understanding, foresee the effects of environmental stress (Physiology of Conservation) or discover therapeutic treatments (Translational Biology).
[4][5] The CSM was founded in 1960 by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in order to provide the Principality with the means to conduct scientific research.
[7] Since its foundation till 1990, the CSM monitored the radioactivity of the atmosphere and traced major ocean currents.
[5] Starting from this year, the CSM, under the leadership of the Prince Albert II, has become a multidisciplinary research institute integrating environmental economics, a Department of Polar Biology and the Department of Medical Biology - officially opened at the behest of Prince Albert II in 2013.
[3] The Department of Polar Biology was created in 2010 as part of an Associated International Laboratory (LIA BioSensib 647 - CSM - CNRS - Univ.