Marine microbiology and microbial ecology

Institute: Ancona, Messina

This area of research aims at improving knowledge on the marine microbiome (with a specific focus on prokaryotic microorganisms Bacteria and Archaea) and its role in seas and oceans in relation to chemical, physical, climatic and environmental variables, to study microbial biodiversity, microbial food webs and functions in marine ecosystems, including extreme ones (deep sea, polar areas), and advance knowledge on the genetics and physiology of marine microorganisms. Researchers withing this area also investigate the interactions between micro- and macro-organisms in the marine environment, including symbiosis and holobionts. A specific research interest focuses on the study of the ecology, distribution and fate of microorganisms of fecal origin (human, animal) and the development of methods for their identification and tracing (“microbial source tracking”), also to improve the definition the quality of bathing water in accordance with EU Directives. The objectives are pursued by combining the use of traditional (cultivation, microscope observation) and advanced microbiological methods (metagenomics, metatrascriptomics, bioinformatics).

Research Projects



Research Projects

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.

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