Barrenechea Angeles, I., M. L. Romero-Martínez, M. Cavaliere, S. Varrella, F. Francescangeli, R. Piredda, M. G. Mazzocchi, M. Montresor, A. Schirone, I. Delbono, F. Margiotta, C. Corinaldesi, S. Chiavarini, M. R. Montereali, J. Rimauro, L. Parrella, L. Musco, A. Dell'Anno, M. Tangherlini, J. Pawlowski and F. Frontalini (2023). "Encapsulated in sediments: eDNA deciphers the ecosystem history of one of the most polluted European marine sites." Environment International 172: 107738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.107738

Bommarito, C., Díaz-Morales, D.M., Guy-Haim, T., Noè, S., Delasalle, J., Buchholz, B., Khosravi, M., Rilov, G., Sures, B., and Wahl, M. (2023). Warming and parasitism impair the performance of Baltic native and invasive macroalgae and their associated fauna. Limnology and Oceanography 68, 1852-1864. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12390

Bonanomi, S., Annibale, O., Lucchetti, A., & Bottaro, M. (2023). Extinct but not entirely: A new occurrence of the critically endangered Squatina squatina (Linnaeus, 1758) stresses the urgency of its conservation in the Adriatic sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 287, 108344.

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Welcome to the first International Summer School on Systems Biology (ISSSB 2022) that will take place at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, from October 10th to 14th 2022.

The school is intended for PhD students and early career researchers interested in a systems biology approach to ocean studies. Oceans represent a perfect example of a holistic system made of interconnected entities, both as species and as niches. Understanding how their interactions will results in its health and equilibrium require an interdisciplinary approach, from different scientific areas and technological, experimental and informatic skills. The aim of the school is to provide participants basic and advanced knowledge on Biodiversity, Ecological interactions, Evolutionary Genomics and Omic disciplines, to be used as an integrated approach for EcoEvoDevo studies and Biotech Applications in ocean studies. The five days programme of the school will combine theoretical and practical lectures on different marine organisms, research topics and technological tools, following the original path of the founder, Anton Dohrn, who conceived the SZN as an integrated network of scientists and disciplines. Social events will include visit to the SZN Aquarium, the Darwin-Dohrn Museum (DaDoM) and the city of Naples.

Admission to the course will be evaluated by the scientific committee based on the preliminary knowledge and motivation of applicants.
Detailed information on the program of the course and online registration form for the ISSSB 2022 are available at the following link: https://isssb2022.wixsite.com/isssystemsbiology

Do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The organizers are waiting for you!

Registration fee: 300 Euro
(Deadline: 04 September 2022)
(Early registration: 07/08/2022, 250 Euro)

The Stazione Zoologica, through its Grant and Innovation Office, promotes the use, commercial development and exploitation of industrial property rights resulting from research results. It holds several industrial property rights, of which the patent portfolio is structured with titles (exclusively owned or jointly owned with other internationally prestigious research institutions) that are also European and international in scope.

A patent is a title by which the owner has a temporary monopoly of exploitation of the protected invention and prevents others from producing, selling or using the invention without authorisation. In order to be patented, an invention must, however, meet at least 3 basic requirements:

-  Novelty

-  Originality

-  Industrial applicability

Below are the Zoological Station's currently filed patents:

• Light system for aquatic photosynthetic organisms (Acronyms LIGHT SYSTEM)

The patented invention consists of a modulable RGB LED lighting system for aquatic photosynthetic organisms, capable of reproducing any natural light in aquatic ecosystems, accelerating and increasing the production of algal biomass and the molecules that can be extracted from it.

• Processes and compositions for the production of astaxanthin from marine organisms (Acronyms ASTAXANTINA)

The patented invention consists of a breeding method and a specific feed composition to maximise the production of natural Astaxanthin from sea urchins, to be used as a nutraceutical.

• Automated apparatus and method for cultures of organisms in an aquatic environment (Acronyms AUTOMATED APPARATUS)

The invention consists of a computerised automated system of apparatuses capable of reducing the cost of rearing aquatic invertebrates and a corresponding process for growing cultures of organisms in an aquatic environment.

• Temperature profiling device and related monitoring system (Acronyms SOPHIA)

The invention consists of a small device with autonomous operation capable of remotely measuring the temperature profile of the hydrogeological mantle thickness in all those areas where there is a need for multi-sensor profile detection in ice, snow and/or water, at high frequency, in adverse geological situations and at different depths.

• Process for the production of pearl from edible bivalvia and gastropoda (Acronyms PERLS)

The invention consists of a grafting technique to induce pearl production in edible bivalves, with zero mortality rates of the animal and zero rejection rates of the grafted nucleus.

• Method and kit to predict cell death in response to biotic and/or abiotic stimuli (Acronyms CELL FATE)

The invention, based on the analysis of gene expression and the processing of the data obtained and their use in laboratory and clinical research, consists of an in vitro and ex vivo method that can monitor and predict cell response under many experimental conditions.

• Device for supporting, growing and replanting aquatic plants from seeds (Acronyms PLANTSEEDS)

The invention consists of a technique for the reforestation of seagrass meadows, specifically seagrass beds of Posidonia oceanica, compromised by anthropogenic impacts.

• Ovothiols for the treatment of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (CLGSI) and related diseases (Acronyms CLGSI)

The invention concerns the use of Ovothiols which have a protective effect on endothelial cultures obtained from umbilical cords of women suffering from gestational diabetes.

• 5-thiohistidine compounds and methylated derivatives (ovothiols) as inhibitors of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) activity (Acronyms GGT)

The invention concerns the use of natural molecules of marine origin as inhibitors of the activity of the enzyme GGT, the cause of the kidney, liver and lung diseases.

• Diatom-based genetic engineering system methodology for the eco-sustainable production of ovothiols (Acronyms GEO)

The invention consists of an environmentally sustainable protocol that uses the genetic engineering of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to stimulate the production of methylated 5-thiohistidines - and in particular Ovothiol B, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. The use of P. tricornutum cultures accomplishes high productivity and allows easy scale-up of upstream and downstream processes.

The institutional interdepartmental centre of Rome, located in Via Gregorio Allegri 1, is a seat of Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, established on November 16th 2018, with approval (n.2) of the board of directors.
The seat has a strategic positioning with respect to the location of other Ministries, University and Research Centres; in particular, the office is close to the Ministry of University and Research, National Research Council, University of Rome “La Sapienza” and other relevant institutions.

Initiatives

The Seat of Rome:
a) promotes collaborations with enterprises and other institutions for developing knowledge in marine science and its application for different scopes;
b) contributes to developing and promoting the economic, social and cultural progress of the Country by establishing industrial collaboration, spin-off, patent, scientific divulgation and education;
c) conducts supporting activities and strategic consulting for the development of future projects on basic and applied research on the territory of Lazio;
d) promotes the professional and technical growth of researchers with masters, degree courses and PhD based on agreements with Italian and international universities and enterprises;
e) promotes and realizes the dissemination of scientific culture and knowledge of the marine environment through public engagement and outreach activities;
f) collaborates with the Lazio Region, the Municipality of Rome, and other local administrations in promoting the development of joint research initiatives to enhance the territory and its environmental and productive resources;
g) carries out on-request consulting and technical-scientific evaluation activities for Public Administrations, enterprises and other private subjects.

Staff

Silvestro Greco, Scientific Coordinator
EMI Department
Director of the Territorial Seat of Calabria

Francesca Di Carlo, Administrative Coordinator
General Administration Area

Technologist Director

Alessandro Preti
General Administration Area - Coordinator

Claudia Gili
CAPE Department - Director

Research Director

Francesco Colloca
EMI Department

Senior Technologist

Simonepietro Canese
RIMAR Department

Senior Researcher

Paolo Albano
CAPE Department

Technologist

Francesco Stenico
RIMAR Department

Researcher

Maria Vittoria Modica
BEOM Department

Eva Salvati
EMI Department

Research fellows

Lorenzo Ippoliti

Martina Arcioni

Scholarship

Stefano Moro

PhD Students

Elisa Nocella
Salvatore Valente