Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM):

• Titolo: Host-microbiota interaction: exploring the gut-brain axis in marine invertebrates

Tutor SZN: Assunta Liberti
Dipartimento: BEOM

Description

Host-microorganism interactions in the gastrointestinal tract are essential for the proper development and functioning of the host organism. In particular, the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain plays a key role, with the microbiota also influencing host behavior.
The aim of this training project is to investigate, in marine invertebrates such as protochordates and mollusks, the components of the immune and enteric nervous systems, analyzing their variations following the manipulation of the microbial community isolated from them. This study will lay the foundation for future functional and behavioral studies, expanding our understanding of the connection between microbiota, immune system and neurophysiology in marine invertebrates.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Neuronal plasticity in marine molluscs: the role of mitochondria
  SZN Tutor: Serena Mirra
  Department: BEOM

Description

We aim to elucidate the cellular mechanisms of neuronal resilience against environmental stress in marine molluscs, with a particular focus on mitochondrial homeostasis (dynamics, function, bioenergetics), autophagy, cell death and inflammatory responses.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Annotating octopus brain regions: a development of an interactive digital atlas for the cephalopod brain
  SZN Tutor: Graziano Fiorito
  Department: BEOM

Description

A brain atlas is a necessary tool for analyzing structure and function of nervous system in fields of neuroscience and behavioral science. Although various annotations are available for 'brains' of several mammalian and few other species including some invertebrates, annotation for 'brains' of cephalopod mollusks is not available. The proposed thesis work is aimed at filling this gap and implementing a pipeline for construction of a flexible annotation atlas (FAA) of the octopus (O. vulgaris) brain. The workplan include analysis of published works and in-house resources (available at the octopus lab, BEOM Dept, Stazione Zoologica), annotation of serial sections of entire adult octopus’ brain, data on brain structure, digital representation of single areas and ROIs. The produced FAA will be then available as Open Data – implementing FAIR Data Principles – and will help improving the consistency of whole brain ROI definition among laboratories internationally by fulfilling various requests from researchers with its flexibility and reproducibility. The same principles utilized for octopus will be subsequently adopted for other cephalopod species.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sustainable Marine Biotechnology (Bluebio)

• Title: Functional characterization of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway in marine microalgae:
  SZN Tutor: Valeria Di Dato
  Department: BluBiotech

Description

Prostaglandins are molecules similar to second messengers and are mainly involved in inflammatory processes resolution as well as in the onset of serious pathologies. Their synthesis and related metabolic pathway have been recently discovered in marine eukaryotic unicellular microalgae. Understanding their role in such simple organisms and the functional regulation mechanisms will help decipher their ecological and physiological role as well as the importance of their conservation during the evolution of the planet.
Approaches used: biochemistry and molecular biology techniques; cell culture techniques; bioinformatics approaches.
Organisms used: marine microalgae (diatoms) and zooplanktonic species.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Comparative study of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX) in different species of marine microalgae:
  SZN Tutor: Valeria Di Dato
  Department: BluBiotech

Description

In order to transform the production of prostaglandins through marine microalgae into a biotechnological application, the characterization of the chemical-physical and kinetic characteristics of the enzyme necessary for their synthesis, the cyclooxygenase, is crucial to prepare the ground for future application research lines.
Approaches used: biochemistry and molecular biology techniques.
Organisms used: bacteria and marine microalgae (diatoms).

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Use of bioinformatic approaches for the identification of the prostaglandin synthesis "pathway" in different marine organisms:
  SZN Tutor: Valeria Di Dato
  Department: BluBiotech

Description

Prostaglandins are molecules involved in inflammatory and pathological processes that have been very well studied in humans. Very interesting has been considered their production in simple marine organisms such as diatoms, unicellular eukaryotic algae. Given the strong interest in marine resources both from an ecological and biotechnological point of view, it is very interesting to expand their research into other marine organisms in order to understand their role both in physiology and in the chemical communication necessary to establish a balance between the various species component the plankton. The new sequencing technologies supported by bioinformatics software are very useful and versatile to be able to perform a wide-spectrum study.
Approaches used: bioinformatics approaches.
Organisms used: marine microalgae and zooplanktonic species.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Molecular insights into the synthetic pathways of secondary metabolites produced by the diatom Thalassiosira rotula:
  SZN Tutor: Valeria Di Dato
  Department: BluBiotech

Description

Marine microalgae in the diatom group are particularly interesting for the production of metabolites deriving from secondary metabolism for adaptation to different climatic conditions. These metabolites mainly perform a defense function and therefore have biological activities that are often interesting for human use in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical fields. Thalassiosira rotula is a species of diatom present in the Gulf of Naples capable of synthesizing some interesting secondary metabolites. Its genome and transcriptome have been sequenced thus allowing the identification of the pathways responsible for the synthesis of these metabolites. The sequences obtained from genomic and transcriptomic sequencing allow to investigate the activation of these pathways in different conditions through molecular approaches.
Approaches used: techniques of biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology; cell culture techniques; bioinformatics approaches.
Organisms used: Thalassiosira rotula.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Discovery of the pharmacological potential of marine microalgae against telomerase activity in human cancers
  SZN Tutor: Valeria Di Dato
  Department: BluBiotech

Description

Telomeres are special sequences located at the ends of chromosomes whose role is to protect the ends of the DNA from damage. However, after each cell division their size decreases and when their length reaches a critical point, the cells undergo apoptosis and/or senescence. Thus, the length of telomeres can act as a biological clock to determine the life span of a cell and an organism, and their length is determined by an enzyme called telomerase. This enzyme is constitutively turned off in somatic cells, while it is highly active in germ cells allowing their continuous replication. Likewise, telomerase is expressed in approximately 90% of cancer cells, thus allowing for their indefinite proliferation. For this reason, telomerase inhibition may represent a preferred specific target for anticancer therapies. Various natural products, commonly derived from plants, have shown telomerase inhibitory activity and include secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, xanthones, and sesquiterpenes.
Marine eukaryotic microalgae are very important components of phytoplankton able to adapt to all kinds of ecological niches and physicochemical conditions due to a series of secondary metabolites they produce. The project aims to identify microalgae species that produce molecules capable of inhibiting telomerase activity in a set of different cancer cell lines for possible exploitation as an anticancer drug.
Approaches used: techniques of biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics approaches.
Organisms used: diatoms, dinoflagellates.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Screening for the production of biomolecules with antibiofilm properties
  SZN Tutor: Carmen Rizzo
  Department: BLUEBIO, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina

Description

Screening of marine bacterial isolates for antimicrobial activity and production of bioactive molecules with activity inhibiting the formation of biofilms of pathogenic strains. Application of culture approach and molecular techniques for taxonomic identification.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Extraction of chitin and chitosan from fisheries waste
  SZN Tutor: Carmen Rizzo
  Department: BLUEBIO, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina

Description

Isolation of high-value products from under-utilised marine species and waste from fish processing and aquaculture plants in the view of a circular economy and recycling perspective.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Characterisation of microbial communities associated with microplastics in the marine environment
  - SZN Tutor: Carmen Rizzo
  Department: BLUEBIO, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina

Description

Culture-based and molecular approach for the study of microbial communities associated with microplastics (plastisphere) and biotechnological applications for degradative potential.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI):

• Title: Assessment of plastic pollution in areas of the Mediterranean Sea and approach to studying the potential transfer of microplastics into the trophic web
  Tutor SZN: Cristina Pedà
  Department: EMI, Sicily Marine Centre

Description

The impact of marine litter, particularly plastics, on marine life and habitats is a major global concern and an important environmental issue. Microplastics (< 5 mm) are the most frequently detected size category in the marine environment and in the gastrointestinal tracts of marine vertebrates as they can easily enter the trophic web through direct or indirect ingestion. To date, many studies have investigated the ingestion of microplastics and associated chemical contaminants in marine organisms, but their transfer through the trophic web is poorly understood, especially at higher trophic levels. The traineeship activities will focus on the study of the presence of plastics in areas of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea through the application of protocols for the extraction of plastics and microplastics from different matrices (water, sediments, biota). In addition, activities will also include the study of the ingestion of microplastics by key species in the trophic web of the Strait of Messina, through the analysis of stomach contents, using both chemical digestion and visual sorting approaches. The identification and characterisation of plastics and microplastics will be carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The traineeship activity will be carried out at the SZN site in Messina (Sicily Marine Centre).

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

• Title: Exploring the impact of microplastics in polar environments
  Tutor SZN: Cristina Pedà
  Department: EMI, Sicily Marine Centre

Description

Marine litter pollution also affects remote environments such as the Arctic regions and their biodiversity. However, due to the inaccessibility and difficulty of constant observations in these environments, further studies are needed to fill knowledge gaps. The traineeship activity will focus on studying the impact of plastics in samples collected in polar areas through the application of extraction protocols for plastics and microplastics from environmental matrices (water, sediments, biota). Identification and characterisation of plastics will be performed by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The traineeship activity will be carried out at the SZN site in Messina (Sicily Marine Centre).

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Biological and ecological aspects of deep-sea fish
  Tutor SZN: Pietro Battaglia
  Department: EMI, Sicily Marine Centre

Description

There is still little knowledge on Mediterranean deep-sea fish. The purpose of this project is to investigate some ecological and biological aspects of deep-sea fish species, including growth, age, sexual maturity, and feeding habits. The trainee will gain knowledge about the taxonomy of fish and the methods commonly used to assess the above mentioned aspects. The results will provide a baseline for potential management and conservation policy for the species. The activity will be carried out at the Ichthyology and Fisheries Laboratory of the SZN headquarters in Messina (Sicily Marine Centre).

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: trophic ecology of cephalopods
  Tutor SZN: Pietro Battaglia e Giorgio Aglieri
  Department: EMI, Sicily Marine Centre

Description

The CIAO MARE project uses several species of cephalopods, having different ecology and lifestyle, as bioindicators of the environmental status of the sea, investigating the effects of pollution and marine litter on the biology, physiology, ecology, and flesh quality of these fishery resources. In this context, the feeding habits of cuttlefish, octopus and loliginid squids are studied through an integrated approach using several complementary techniques: stomach content analysis, isotopic analysis and metabarcoding. The internship activity will be carried out at the Ichthyology and Fisheries Laboratory of the SZN headquarters in Messina (Sicily Marine Centre).

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. o This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: assessment of the impact of microplastic ingestion in cephalopod molluscs
  Tutor SZN: Pierpaolo Consoli
  Department: EMI, Sicily Marine Centre

Description

The impact of human activities has significant consequences on marine biota and the environment due to the presence of various chemical pollutants and marine litter, including microplastics. The internship activity will focus on the study of microplastic ingestion by cephalopods through the analysis of gasto-intestinal tract, using the chemical digestion approach and the identification and characterization of compounds by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The internship activity will be carried out at Messina, SZN Sicily Marine Centre.
Per ulteriori informazioni e disponibilità, contattare: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Integrated taxonomy studies in marine invertebrates
  SZN Tutor: Laura Nunez Pons
  Department: EMI

Description

Research based on the classification of marine invertebrates applying techniques for the morphological description and diagnosis of species identification, and molecular approaches related to DNA barcoding and phylogeny.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Allelopathy and functional symbioses in marine holobionts
  SZN Tutor: Laura Nunez Pons
  Department: EMI

Description:

Studies related to symbiotic interactions taking place in marine ecosystems and their role in organismal health, disease, and acclimatization to the environment via metabolic fluxes of nutrients, defensive compounds and allelochemical mediators.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Integrative taxonomy as a tool to assess the true biodiversity of the marine biota of the Gulf of Naples (Italy, Mediterranean Sea)
  SZN Tutor: Fabio Crocetta
  Department: EMI

Description:

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots worldwide. However, many local zoological groups have not been subjected to a deep review based on modern methods. The aim of the project will be to explore the biota of the Gulf of Naples through an integrative taxonomy approach – i.e. a comprehensive framework to delimit and describe taxa by integrating information from ecological, molecular, and morphological data. Data obtained will have important implications in conservation issues, refine phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries, and shed a light on evolutionary lines and cryptic diversity.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Deep-sea mega-benthos of the central Mediterranean Sea.
  SZN Tutor: Frine Cardone
  Department: EMI

Description:

The study aims to create an inventory of the Mediterranean deep-sea megabenthos, combining video analysis with morphological/molecular approach of sampled materials.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Monitoring of microcosms life cycles in controlled environment
  SZN Tutor: Frine Cardone
  Department: EMI

                Description:

The research aims to evaluate the aquarium rearing performance of rare species by means medium-term monitoring of morphometric parameters.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Title: Communities responses to multiple stressors
  Tutor SZN: Manuel Berlino, Maria Cristina Mangano
  Department: EMI, Sicily Marine Centre

Description

Benthic habitats host high biodiversity and play a key role in energy flow, carbon cycling and the overall functioning of marine ecosystems. Understanding how benthic communities respond to different disturbance factors is therefore essential for marine conservation.
This project adopts an ecosystem-based approach to assess disturbance patterns associated with multiple stressors, through the measurement of abiotic variables and the analysis of biodiversity in both coastal and deep-sea areas. Particular attention will be given to metabolic processes, changes in taxonomic and functional diversity, and their relationship with ecosystem functioning.

The intern will support all phases of the research, including:
• field sampling
• laboratory sample analyses
• data extraction and management

Candidate profile:
Degree in Biological, Environmental or Natural Sciences (or equivalent); good knowledge of English; experience in marine fieldwork and biological laboratory techniques; basic understanding of biogeochemical cycles in marine environments; willingness to travel for field sampling when required.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Conservation of marine Animals and Public Engagement (CAPE):

Title: Cataloguing of Historical Archive documents using Archiui software
SZN Tutor: Andrea Travaglini
Department: CAPE

Description

Curricular internship to be completed at the Historical Archive of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, reserved for students of the Università di Napoli L'Orientale. Requirements: reading and understanding historical documents in various languages; automatic processing of textual data. Activities: participating in the cataloguing of a selected group of documents (such as letters, registers) using Archiui software. Specifically, the intern will be responsible for one or more of the following activities: entering a progressive alphanumeric code; indexing (mandatory fields according to archival standards); description or summary; keywords (creating relationships between documents). Objectives: acquiring knowledge and technological skills in contemporary archiving, related to the transformation of a historical scientific archive from paper to hybrid.

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research Infrastructures for marine biological resources (RIMAR):

• Title: Design, construction, and testing of underwater research equipment
  SZN Tutor: Simonepietro Canese
  Department: RIMAR

Description:

Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn is seeking a mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering student for a summer internship in our research infrastructure department. The start date and schedule of the internship is flexible, but we are looking for students who can commit 30 to 40 hours per week for a 10-to-12-week period.
Essential Functions: Design, construction and testing of underwater research equipment;

For further information and availability, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The laboratory of Microscopy is equipped for the initial observation of microbes (direct diagnostics) in suspension or on substrate and for their identification, preliminary or final.

Lab Manager: Ulisse Cardini ulisse.cardini(at)szn.it Room #303

For reservations please contact the Lab Manager

Available instrumentation Epifluorescence microscope with camera Zeiss AxioSkop Fluorescence microscope with camera Zeiss AxioZoom Biofuge Centrifuge for eppendorfs CARD-FISH incubation oven

The Flow Cytometry laboratory is equipped for the detection, counting and characterization of suspended microorganisms based on optical properties (scatter and fluorescence). Preparative and ancillary sampling (filtrations, dissection, etc.) is also performed here.

Lab Manager: Ulisse Cardini ulisse.cardini(at)szn.it Room #303

For reservations please contact the Lab Manager

Available instrumentation FACScalibur cytometer BD BioSciences Accuri C6 cytometer with onCyt module CytoSense benchtop cytometer

The laboratory of Geomicrobiology is equipped for the study of microbial processes that affect biogeochemical cycles. The available instrumentation allows the maintenance of cultures, the preparation of samples for incubation and their analysis for chemical composition, total alkalinity and dissolved gases.

Lab Manager: Ulisse Cardini ulisse.cardini(at)szn.it Room #303

For reservations please contact the Lab Manager

Available instrumentation Thermostatic cell with illumination Metrohm automatic titration system Portable underwater respirometer CISME Soon available Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Thermostatic cell without illumination Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer

ISSNP virtual school: 6th – 8th July 2021

We are glad to announce the 4th edition of the “International Summer School of Natural Products” (ISSNP)

As we are still experiencing Covid19-related restrictions, this edition will switch from physical to virtual school.

The school is designed for PhD students and young researchers and aimed to build up a lively scientific community tackling global challenges in the field of natural products.

Strategical objectives will be focused on interdisciplinary and intersectoral learning, networking and cross collaborations.

A combination of lectures, seminars and interactive sessions will provide an immersive and challenging experience and team-based problem-solving activities will help the participants to be prepared for future research studies in these fields

Applicants will learn from top scientists and professionals

In order to become a leader yourself, it is very important to learn from leaders. ISSNP attracts experts who are typically busy and rarely available during the academic year.

Applicants will be able to network with like-minded colleagues.

ISSNP is built around specific themes and targets students and researchers who have an interest in and enthusiasm for this special subject, Natural Products. Networks will be constructed throughout the 3 days of school activities, during lectures, seminars and interactive sessions, working in-group.

Positive aspects of Virtual Meetings:

• Meeting recordings ensure nothing goes lost
• You can meet on the go from your phone
• You can join from your favourite place
• You can create new workflows
• You can still talk face to face
• It’s easy to collaborate with screen sharing
• A big community online is even bigger

Registration
To register visit to the Registration Page for the IV Edition of the International Summer School on Natural Products (ISSNP) at https://www.issnpschool.org/registration/

The programme will be available at the link: issnpschool.org/programme/
Further information is available at the school website: https://www.issnpschool.org/school/

“BIAGIO ALBERTO DELLA BEFFA” PRIZE

On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of its foundation, Indena (www.indena.com), in partnership with the International Summer School of Natural Products ISSNP, is pleased to announce the institution of a biennial prize dedicated to the memory of its founder “Biagio Alberto Della Beffa.”

For the first edition of the “Biagio Alberto Della Beffa” Prize, three contest winners will be selected among the next International Summer School of Natural Product edition participants. The prize aims to award and support the professional development of young talented scientists in Natural Product Chemistry.

The prize is directed to Chemists, Pharmacists, and Pharmaceutical Chemists who obtained their MSc after 2018 and are currently attending the 2nd/3rd year of a PhD related to Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The three winners will be awarded a Grant of 5.000,00 €, and they will benefit of a 6-month internship at Indena’s premises, that includes a Managerial course.

The prize will be awarded during the International Summer School on Natural Products, organized among the 6th and the 8th July 2021, signifying a closer collaboration between Industry and Academia.
Kindly feel free to contact us (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for any further queries.

Scientific committee

Valeria COSTANTINO, President (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)
Alessia CASO (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)
Adele CUTIGNANO (Istituto di chimica biomolecolare, CNR)
Gerardo Della Sala (Stazione Zoologica, Anton Dohrn)
Germana ESPOSITO (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)
Gabriele FONTANA (Indena)
Roberta MARCHETTI (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)
Luigi MILELLA (Università degli Studi della Basilicata)
Alberto MINASSI (Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale)
Maria Chiara MONTI (Università degli Studi di Salerno)
Mattia MORI (Università degli Studi di Siena)
Vera MUCCILLI (Università degli Studi di Catania)
Giorgia OLIVIERO (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)
Daniele PASSARELLA (Università degli Studi di Milano)
Giovanna ROMANO (Stazione Zoologica, Anton Dohrn)
Valentina SEPE (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)

Advisory Board

William GERWICK (Department of Biology and Marine Biology and Center for Marine Science, UNCW)
Mark BRÖNSTRUP (Centre for Drug Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki)
Patrícia VALENTÃO (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto).

Rapporti con la Fondazione Dohrn

Sede Napoli – DaDoM
• Fulvia Battiloro

Higher Education

• Gabriella Grossi, Coordinator
  

Grant Innovation Office (GIO)

Naples

• Giorgio Carpino, Coordinator
  
  
• Alberto Corona
• Ornella Papaluca
  
• Giosuè Zurzolo

Rome

• Alberto Corona

Institutional communication

NO affilations

Albarano L, Zupo V, Caramiello D, Toscanesi M, Trifuoggi M, Guida M, Libralato G, & Costantini M (2021) Sub-Chronic Effects of Slight PAH- and PCB-Contaminated Mesocosms in Paracentrotus lividus Lmk: A Multi-Endpoint Approach and De Novo Transcriptomic. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(13):6674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136674

Albarano L, Zupo V, Guida M, Libralato G, Caramiello D, Ruocco N, & Costantini M (2021) PAHs and PCBs Affect Functionally Intercorrelated Genes in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus Embryos. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(22):12498. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212498

Andretta E, Costa C, Longobardi C, Damiano S, Giordano A, Pagnini F, Montagnaro S, Quintiliani M, Lauritano C, & Ciarcia R (2021) Potential Approaches Versus Approved or Developing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Therapy. Frontiers in Oncology 11(5087). https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.801779

Ausuri J, Vitale GA, Coppola D, Palma Esposito F, Buonocore C, & de Pascale D (2021) Assessment of the Degradation Potential and Genomic Insights towards Phenanthrene by Dietzia psychralcaliphila JI1D. Microorganisms 9(6):1327. https://doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9061327

Balzano S, Jamieson T, & Leterme S (2021) Changes in microbial communities during seawater pre-treatment within a desalination plant. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 86:63-68. https://doi.org/10.3354/ame01958

Bazzani E, Lauritano C, Mangoni O, Bolinesi F, & Saggiomo M (2021) Chlamydomonas Responses to Salinity Stress and Possible Biotechnological Exploitation. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 9(11):1242. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111242

Blasio M & Balzano S (2021) Fatty Acids Derivatives From Eukaryotic Microalgae, Pathways and Potential Applications. Frontiers in Microbiology 12(2689). https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.718933/full

Coppola D, Lauritano C, Palma Esposito F, Riccio G, Rizzo C, & de Pascale D (2021) Fish Waste: From Problem to Valuable Resource. Marine Drugs 19(2):116. doi: 10.3390/md19020116.

Dell’Anno F, Rastelli E, Tangherlini M, Corinaldesi C, Sansone C, Brunet C, Balzano S, Ianora A, Musco L, Montereali MR, & Dell’Anno A (2021) Highly Contaminated Marine Sediments Can Host Rare Bacterial Taxa Potentially Useful for Bioremediation. Frontiers in Microbiology 12(326). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.584850

Di Costanzo F, Di Dato V, van Zyl LJ, Cutignano A, Esposito F, Trindade M, & Romano G (2021) Three Novel Bacteria Associated with Two Centric Diatom Species from the Mediterranean Sea, Thalassiosira rotula and Skeletonema marinoi. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(24):13199.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413199

Giordano D, Corti P, Coppola D, Altomonte G, Xue J, Russo R, di Prisco G, & Verde C (2021). Regulation of globin expression in Antarctic fish under thermal and hypoxic stress. Marine Genomics 57:100831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margen.2020.100831

Gregorin C, Albarano L, Somma E, Costantini M, Zupo V (2021) Assessing the Ecotoxicity of Copper and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Comparison of Effects on Paracentrotus lividus and Botryllus schlosseri, as Alternative Bioassay Methods. Water 13: 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050711

Horchani M, Della Sala G, Caso A, D’Aria F, Esposito G, Laurenzana I, Giancola C, Costantino V, Jannet HB, & Romdhane A (2021) Molecular Docking and Biophysical Studies for Antiproliferative Assessment of Synthetic Pyrazolo-Pyrimidinones Tethered with Hydrazide-Hydrazones. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(5):2742. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052742

Jamieson T, Balzano S, Le Lan C, Kildea T, Ellis AV, Brown MH, & Leterme SC (2021) Survival of the fittest: Prokaryotic communities within a SWRO desalination plant. Desalination 514:115152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2021.115152

Lattaud J, Balzano S, van der Meer MTJ, Villanueva L, Hopmans EC, Sinninghe Damsté JS, & Schouten S (2021) Sources and seasonality of long-chain diols in a temperate lake (Lake Geneva). Organic Geochemistry 156:104223.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2021.104223

Lauritano C & Saide A (2021) Editorial of Special Issue "Microalgal Molecules and Enzymes". International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(24):13450. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413450

Levy T, Zupo V, Mutalipassi M, Somma E, Ruocco N, Costantini M, Abehsera S, Manor R, Chalifa-Caspi V, Sagi A, & Aflalo ED (2021) Protandric Transcriptomes to Uncover Parts of the Crustacean Sex-Differentiation Puzzle. Frontiers in Marine Science 8(1487). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.745540

Mutalipassi M, Riccio G, Mazzella V, Galasso C, Somma E, Chiarore A, de Pascale D, & Zupo V (2021) Symbioses of Cyanobacteria in Marine Environments: Ecological Insights and Biotechnological Perspectives. Marine Drugs 19(4):227.  https://doi.org/10.3390/md19040227

Roncalli V, Lauritano C, & Carotenuto Y (2021) First Report of OvoA Gene in Marine Arthropods: A New Candidate Stress Biomarker in Copepods. Marine Drugs 19(11):647. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19110647

Ruocco N, Esposito R, Bertolino M, Zazo G, Sonnessa M, Andreani F, Coppola D, Giordano D, Nuzzo G, Lauritano C, Fontana A, Ianora A, Verde C, Costantini M (2021) A Metataxonomic Approach Reveals Diversified Bacterial Communities in Antarctic Sponges. Marine Drugs 19: 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19030173

Ruocco N, Esposito R, Zagami G, Bertolino M, De Matteo S, Sonnessa M, Andreani F, Crispi S, Zupo V, & Costantini M (2021) Microbial diversity in Mediterranean sponges as revealed by metataxonomic analysis. Scientific Reports 11(1):21151.  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00713-9

Sabatino V, Orefice I, Marotta P, Ambrosino L, Chiusano ML, d'Ippolito G, Romano G, Fontana A, & Ferrante MI (2021) Silencing of a Pseudo-nitzschia arenysensis lipoxygenase transcript leads to reduced oxylipin production and impaired growth. New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17739

Saide A, Damiano S, Ciarcia R, & Lauritano C (2021) Promising Activities of Marine Natural Products against Hematopoietic Malignancies. Biomedicines 9(6):645. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9060645

Saide A, Lauritano C, & Ianora A (2021) A Treasure of Bioactive Compounds from the Deep Sea. Biomedicines 9(11):1556. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9111556

Sardo A, Orefice I, Balzano S, Barra L, & Romano G (2021) Mini-Review: Potential of Diatom-Derived Silica for Biomedical Applications. Applied Sciences 11(10):4533. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11104533

Tedesco P, Palma Esposito F, Masino A, Vitale GA, Tortorella E, Poli A, Nicolaus B, van Zyl LJ, Trindade M, & de Pascale D (2021) Isolation and Characterization of Strain Exiguobacterium sp. KRL4, a Producer of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from a Tibetan Glacier. Microorganisms 9(5):890. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9050890.

Teta R, Sala GD, Esposito G, Stornaiuolo M, Scarpato S, Casazza M, Anastasio A, Lega M, & Costantino V (2021) Monitoring Cyanobacterial Blooms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Campania, Italy: The Case of Lake Avernus. Toxins 13(7):471. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13070471

Funari V, Gomes HI, Coppola D, Vitale GA, Dinelli E, de Pascale D, & Rovere M (2021) Opportunities and threats of selenium supply from unconventional and low-grade ores: A critical review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 170:105593.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105593

Zou Y, Tortorella E, Robbens J, Heyndrickx M, Debode J, De Pascale D, & Raes K (2021) Bioactivity Screening of Hydrolysates From Brown Crab Processing Side Streams Fermented by Marine Pseudoalteromonas Strains. Waste and Biomass Valorization 12(5):2459-2468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-020-01195-y

Zannella C, Giugliano R, Chianese A, Buonocore C, Vitale GA, Sanna G, Sarno F, Manzin A, Nebbioso A, Termolino P, Altucci L, Galdiero M, de Pascale D, & Franci G (2021) Antiviral Activity of Vitis vinifera Leaf Extract against SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1. Viruses 13(7):1263. doi: 10.3390/v13071263.

Annunziata R, Balestra C, Marotta P, Ruggiero A, Manfellotto F, Benvenuto G, Biffali E, Ferrante MI (2021) An optimised method for intact nuclei isolation from diatoms. Scientific Reports 11: 1681. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81238-z

Basso L, Papadia P, Rizzo L, Migoni D, Fanizzi FP, & Piraino S (2021) Trace Metals Do Not Accumulate Over Time in The Edible Mediterranean Jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) from Urban Coastal Waters. Water 13(10):1410. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13101410

Carbonne C, Teixidó N, Moore B, Mirasole A, Guttierez T, Gattuso J-P, & Comeau S (2021). Two temperate corals are tolerant to low pH regardless of previous exposure to natural CO₂ vents. Limnology and Oceanography. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.11942

Carlot J, Kayal M, Lenihan HS, Brandl SJ, Casey JM, Adjeroud M, Cardini U, Merciere A, Espiau B, Barneche DR, Rovere A, Hédouin L, Parravicini V (2021) Juvenile corals underpin coral reef carbonate production after disturbance. Global Change Biology n/a.  https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15610

D’Ambra I, Merquiol L, Graham WM, & Costello JH (2021) “Indirect development” increases reproductive plasticity and contributes to the success of scyphozoan jellyfish in the oceans. Scientific Reports 11(1):18653. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98171-w

De Luca D, Kooistra WHCF, Sarno D, Biffali E, Piredda R (2021) Empirical evidence for concerted evolution in the 18S rDNA region of the planktonic diatom genus Chaetoceros. Scientific Reports 11: 807. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80829-6

De Luca D, Piredda R, Sarno D, Kooistra WHCF (2021) Resolving cryptic species complexes in marine protists: phylogenetic haplotype networks meet global DNA metabarcoding datasets. The Isme Journal. doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00895-0

Di Genio S, Gaglioti M, Meneghesso C, Barbieri F, Cerrano C, Gambi MC (2021) Phenology and ecology of the alien seagrass Halophila stipulacea in its northern range limit in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquatic Botany 168: 103304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2020.103304

Dittami SM, Arboleda E, Auguet J, Bigalke A, Briand E, Cárdenas P, Cardini U, Decelle J, Engelen AH, Eveillard D, Gachon CMM, Griffiths SM, Harder T, Kayal E, Kazamia E, Lallier FH, Medina M, Marzinelli EM, Morganti TM, Núñez Pons L, Prado S, Pintado J, Saha M, Selosse M, Skillings D, Stock W, Sunagawa S, Toulza E, Vorobev A, Leblanc C, Not F. (2021) A community perspective on the concept of marine holobionts: current status, challenges, and future directions. PeerJ 9:e10911 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10911

Lobban, C.S., Majewska, R., Ashworth, M., Bizsel, N., Bosak, S., Kooistra, W.H.C.F., Lam, D.W., Nelson-Navarro, J., Pennesi, C., Sato, S., Van de Vijver, B., Witkowski, A. (2021). Diatom genus Hyalosira (Rhabdonematales emend.) and resolution of its polyphyly in Grammatophoraceae and Rhabdonemataceae with a new genus, Placosira, and five new Hyalosira species. Protist. 172: 125816 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.protis.2021.125816

Malkin, S. and Cardini, U. (2021), Facilitative interactions on the rise: cable bacteria associate with diverse aquatic plants. New Phytol. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17664

Mammone M, Ferrier-Pagés C, Lavorano S, Rizzo L, Piraino S, Rossi S (2021) High photosynthetic plasticity may reinforce invasiveness of upside-down zooxanthellate jellyfish in Mediterranean coastal waters. Plos One 16: e0248814. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248814

Marzocchi U, Bonaglia S, Zaiko A, Quero GM, Vybernaite-Lubiene I, Politi T, Samuiloviene A, Zilius M, Bartoli M, Cardini U (2021) Zebra Mussel Holobionts Fix and Recycle Nitrogen in Lagoon Sediments. Frontiers in Microbiology 11: 610269. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.610269

Murano C, Donnarumma V, Corsi I, Casotti R, & Palumbo A (2021) Impact of Microbial Colonization of Polystyrene Microbeads on the Toxicological Responses in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Environmental Science & Technology 55(12):7990-8000. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c00618

Mutalipassi M, Riccio G, Mazzella V, Galasso C, Somma E, Chiarore A, de Pascale D, & Zupo V (2021) Symbioses of Cyanobacteria in Marine Environments: Ecological Insights and Biotechnological Perspectives. Marine Drugs 19(4):227.  https://doi.org/10.3390/md19040227

Palomba M, Mattiucci S, Crocetta F, Osca D, Santoro M (2021) Insights into the role of deep-sea squids of the genus Histioteuthis (Histioteuthidae) in the life cycle of ascaridoid parasites in the Central Mediterranean Sea waters. Scientific Reports 11: 7135. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86248-5

Palomba M, Santoro M, Alburqueque RA, Cipriani P, Mattiucci S (2021) First molecular detection of the parasites Molicola uncinatus and Hepatoxylon trichiuri (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) infecting the silver scabbardfish Lepidopus caudatus from the Central Mediterranean Sea: Implications for the seafood quality and safety. Food Control 122: 107807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107807

Politi T, Barisevičiūte R, Bartoli M, Bonaglia S, Cardini U, Castaldelli G, Kančauskaitė A, Marzocchi U, Petkuviene J, Samuiloviene A, Vybernaite-Lubiene I, Zaiko A, Zilius M (2021) A bioturbator, a holobiont, and a vector: The multifaceted role of Chironomus plumosus in shaping N-cycling. Freshwater Biology n/a.

Retelletti Brogi S, Casotti R, Misson B, Balestra C, Gonnelli M, Vestri S, Santinelli C (2021) DOM Biological Lability in an Estuarine System in Two Contrasting Periods. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 9: 172. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9020172

Rizzo L, Fiorillo I, Rossi S. (2021). Seasonal trends of the polyp expansion and nutritional condition of Alcyonium acaule (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) PeerJ 9:e12032 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12032

Roncalli V, Lauritano C, & Carotenuto Y (2021) First Report of OvoA Gene in Marine Arthropods: A New Candidate Stress Biomarker in Copepods. Marine Drugs 19(11):647. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19110647

Rossi S, Rizzo L (2021) The Importance of Food Pulses in Benthic-Pelagic Coupling Processes of Passive Suspension Feeders. Water 13: 997. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070997

Roveta C, Annibaldi A, Afghan A, Calcinai B, Di Camillo CG, Gregorin C, Illuminati S, Pulido Mantas T, Truzzi C, Puce S (2021) Biomonitoring of Heavy Metals: The Unexplored Role of Marine Sessile Taxa. Applied Sciences 11: 580. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020580

Sabatino V, Orefice I, Marotta P, Ambrosino L, Chiusano ML, d'Ippolito G, Romano G, Fontana A, & Ferrante MI (2021). Silencing of a Pseudo-nitzschia arenysensis lipoxygenase transcript leads to reduced oxylipin production and impaired growth. New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17739

Santoro, M., Palomba, M., Gili, C., Marcer, F., Marchiori, E., & Mattiucci, S. (2021). Molecular and morphological characterization of Bolbosoma balaenae (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae), a neglected intestinal parasite of the fin whale Balaenoptera physalus. Parasitology, 148(11), 1293-1302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182021000925

Stabili L, Rizzo L, Caprioli R, Leone A, & Piraino S (2021) Jellyfish Bioprospecting in the Mediterranean Sea: Antioxidant and Lysozyme-Like Activities from Aurelia coerulea (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) Extracts. Marine Drugs 19(11):619. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19110619

SVETLICHNY L, HUBAREVA E, UTTIERI M (2021) Ecophysiological and behavioural responses to salinity and temperature stress in cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae with comments on gender differences. Mediterranean Marine Science 22: 80-101.. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.22496

Tamburello L, Chiarore A, Fabbrizzi E, Colletti A, Franzitta G, Grech D, Rindi F, Rizzo L, Savinelli B, & Fraschetti S (2021) Can we preserve and restore overlooked macroalgal forests? Science of The Total Environment:150855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150855

Amodio P, Brea J, Farrar BG, Ostojić L, Clayton NS (2021) Testing two competing hypotheses for Eurasian jays’ caching for the future. Scientific Reports 11: 835. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80515-7

Amodio P, Farrar BG, Krupenye C, Ostojić L, & Clayton NS (2021) Little evidence that Eurasian jays protect their caches by responding to cues about a conspecific’s desire and visual perspective. eLife  DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.69647

Amodio P, Josef N, Shashar N, Fiorito G (2021) Bipedal locomotion in Octopus vulgaris: A complementary observation and some preliminary considerations. Ecology and Evolution n/a. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7328

Brancaccio M, Tangherlini M, Danovaro R, & Castellano I (2021) Metabolic Adaptations to Marine Environments: Molecular Diversity and Evolution of Ovothiol Biosynthesis in Bacteria. Genome Biology and Evolution 13(9). https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evab169

Gerdol M, La Vecchia C, Strazzullo M, De Luca P, Gorbi S, Regoli F, Pallavicini A, & D’Aniello E (2021) Evolutionary History of DNA Methylation Related Genes in Bivalvia: New Insights From Mytilus galloprovincialis. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9(398). https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.698561

Magri MS, Voronov D, Ranđelović J, Cuomo C, Gómez-Skarmeta JL, Arnone MI (2021) ATAC-Seq for Assaying Chromatin Accessibility Protocol Using Echinoderm Embryos. In: Carroll DJ, Stricker SA, editors. Developmental Biology of the Sea Urchin and Other Marine Invertebrates: Methods and Protocols. New York, NY: Springer US. pp. 253-265. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0974-3_16

Milito A, Castellano I, & Damiani E (2021) From Sea to Skin: Is There a Future for Natural Photoprotectants? Marine Drugs 19(7):379. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19070379

Murano C, Bergami E, Liberatori G, Palumbo A, Corsi I (2021) Interplay Between Nanoplastics and the Immune System of the Mediterranean Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Frontiers in Marine Science 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.647394

Murano C, Donnarumma V, Corsi I, Casotti R, & Palumbo A (2021) Impact of Microbial Colonization of Polystyrene Microbeads on the Toxicological Responses in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Environmental Science & Technology 55(12):7990-8000. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c00618

Perillo M, Paganos P, Spurrell M, Arnone MI, Wessel GM (2021) Methodology for Whole Mount and Fluorescent RNA In Situ Hybridization in Echinoderms: Single, Double, and Beyond. In: Carroll DJ, Stricker SA, editors. Developmental Biology of the Sea Urchin and Other Marine Invertebrates: Methods and Protocols. New York, NY: Springer US. pp. 195-216. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0974-3_12

Rendell-Bhatti F, Paganos P, Pouch A, Mitchell C, D’Aniello S, Godley BJ, Pazdro K, Arnone MI, Jimenez-Guri E (2021) Developmental toxicity of plastic leachates on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Environmental Pollution 269: 115744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115744

Russo MT, Ruggiero MV, Manfellotto F, Scriven V, Campbell L, Montresor M, Ferrante MI (2021) New alleles in the mating type determination region of West Atlantic strains of Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata. Harmful Algae 103: 101995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.101995

Schalm G, Bruns K, Drachenberg N, Geyer N, Foulkes NS, Bertolucci C, Gerlach G (2021) Finding Nemo’s clock reveals switch from nocturnal to diurnal activity. Scientific Reports 11: 6801. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86244-9

Schnell A. K., Amodio P., Boeckle M., and Clayton N.S., (2021). How intelligent is a cephalopod? Lessons from comparative cognition. Biological Reviews, 96: 162-178. doi.org/10.1111/brv.12651

Thompson JR, Paganos P, Benvenuto G, Arnone MI, Oliveri P (2021) Post-metamorphic skeletal growth in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and implications for body plan evolution. Evodevo 12: 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13227-021-00174-1

Tsironis I, Paganos P, Gouvi G, Tsimpos P, Stamopoulou A, Arnone MI, Flytzanis CN (2021) Coup-TF: A maternal factor essential for differentiation along the embryonic axes in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Developmental Biology 475: 131-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.12.012