In this Lab, the marine microbiome is investigated under different approaches:
1) biodiversity and function of the marine microbiome in coastal, deep, and extreme ecosystems, through epifluorescence microscopy techniques and oligonucleotide probes, biomolecular approaches (conventional and real-time PCR, High-Throughput Sequencing, and bioinformatics), use of fluorogenic substrates for measurement of extracellular enzyme activities, and analysis of key environmental variables
2) presence and distribution of environmental and microbial quality indicators for the study of water and sediment quality by traditional and molecular microbiological methods and organic matter analysis (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, chlorophyll)
3) microbial biotechnology and sediment bioremediation (aquaculture and lagoon environments)
4) pollution of fecal origin along marine coastal areas.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
