The Italian Node of the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC-IT) was constituted on 05/10/2021 as a JRU (Joint Research Unit), including a total of 16 partners (SZN, CONISMA, CNR, OGS, CTN-BIG, IZSPLV, ENEA, ISPRA, UNITUS, UNICA, UNIFE, UNIME UNIMIB UNINA UNITO, UNIVPM) with SZN as its coordinator and representative institute in EMBRC-ERIC.
The Italian JRU was established according to the principles of complementarity and synergy of the partners regarding the development of new collaborative research projects and research services and in order to strengthen scientific research and foster human and infrastructure resources exchange in the field of blue growth.
The JRU agreement has set itself the following objectives:
Strategic Agenda
• Valorisation of the resources and skills of each of the Parties through their coordinated organization and best practices sharing;
• Coordination of national activities within EMBRC–ERIC and provide support to the MUR and other Ministries in organizing the Italian membership in EMBRC–ERIC and in defining strategic research agendas and roadmaps related to sustainable blue growth;
• Strengthening of Italian scientific research in the field of marine biology and promote training, scientific dissemination and communication in this area;
• Promotion of technology transfer and new relationships with national companies;
• Design and organization of pilot actions and projects, demonstrating the peculiarity and value of the Italian contribution to EMBRC–ERIC;
• Conduction of joint activities aimed at consolidating, strengthening and expanding the EMBRC-ERIC Research Infrastructure and its impact in terms of science and innovation, with particular attention to the spill overs at the national level, also by participating jointly or individually in funding programs of the Research.
Public-public and public-private collaborations
• Coordination of an up-to-date National Index of scientific services for the «blue» community
• National services catalogue opened to EU Projects and Transnational Accesses
• Single access point: marketing at national and EU level
• Support to efficient and coordinated technology transfer
• Shared management of orders via the Node capacity
• Improved opportunity for scientific interactions, co-authorship and for interdisciplinary collaborations
• Favourable access conditions for associate partner
Improved fundraising capacity
• HE: Participation in EU projects as individual members of EMBRC-IT that can involve the other members of the JRU and EMBRC-IT itself as Affiliated Entity
• PNRR (NextGenerationEU): Strengthening and improvement of operative units (OU) of EMBRC-IT partners
• H2020: Access to EU-IR grants
• PON 2007-2013: Action on «Potenziamento strutturale»
• POR 2014-20: Action on «access to H2020 EU projects»
EMBRC-IT Partners
• Stazione Zoologica di Napoli Anton Dohrn (SZN) – Italian Node Coordinator
• Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale “Blue Italian Growth”(CTN-BIG)
• Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa)
• Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS)
• Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta (IZSPLV)
• Università di Cagliari (UNICA)
• Università di Ferrara (UNIFE)
• Università di Messina (UNIME)
• Università di Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB)
• Università di Napoli Federico II (UNINA)
• Università di Torino (UNITO)
• Università della Tuscia (UNITUS)
• Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM)
• Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA)
• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
• Agenzia nazionale per le nuove tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile (ENEA)
Summary
EMBRC-IT will offer opportunities for the Italian marine research and technological development community at large because:
• The JRU supports and reinforces the cohesion of the Italian Marine Research Community,
• It fosters a higher visibility of this community at the National (MIUR) and International (EU) level,
• It links marine biological resources to innovation, supporting cooperation with universities, research organizations and industries
• It creates critical mass, capable to interact with, and advise, policy makers
The result of its common effort will be more than the sum of the capacity of each.
Contact information
Node Director: Donatella de Pascale
Liaison Officer: Pasquale De Luca
JRU Manager: Giorgio Maria Vingiani
Coordinator: Daniele Iudicone
Activities
The aim of the laboratory is to support the study of the ecology of marine plankton and of the ocean physics that is relevant for the plankton ecology. The laboratory of ecological modeling has as main activity the preparation and realization of numerical simulations of the ocean circulation at microscale (DNS), mesoscale (ROMS) and at global scale (NEMO) and of the associated plankton dynamics. The activities are integrated with statistical analysis of environmental (physicochemical) data, ecological (populations) data and biological (metagenomics, functional parameters) data.
Experimental systems
- In-house configurations of numerical codes for simulating the ocean circulation, the fluid dynamics at the microscale (turbulence) and the impact on microorganisms.
- In-house configurations of numerical codes for simulating planktonic populations at different levels of complexity.
- Turbulence Profiler.
- Devices for the production of marine turbulence in lab (TurboGen).
Analysis
- Analysis of the variability of the ocean physics (including thermodynamics) and biochemistry at various spatial and temporal scales at basin and sub-basin scales.
- Statistical analysis of environmental data and ecological.
- Water mass thermodynamic budgets.
Instrumentation
- Servers and computers for numerical simulations.
- Software for data analysis.
- Software for the simulation of the physics and biology of marine organisms (produced in-house or by external collaborators).
ABBaCo - Restauro Ambientale e Balneabilità del SIN Bagnoli-Coroglio
DIsCO - Diatom life cycles, molecular controls and contribution to ecosystem dynamics
EMSO MedIT - Project financed in the framework of PON R&C 2007-2013 - PAC Enhancement of public research infrastructures
GRASSMET - Climate change effects on seagrass secondary metabolism: ecological implications
HEATGRASS - Tolerance to HEAT stress induced by climate change in the seaGRASS Posidonia oceanica
HighGrass - High-CO2 effects on seagrass photosynthetic ecophysiology
INBALANCE - INvertebrate-BActeriaL Associations as hotspots of benthic Nitrogen Cycling in Estuarine ecosystems
IRMA - Implementation and Remote Connection for Real Time Moniotoring of Marine Microorganisms - Funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Education (MIUR)
PALEOPARK - Seagrass palaeo-records as a tool for the evaluation, diagnosis and prognosis of the evolution of species, communities, and processes in Spanish insular National Parks
RECCAM - Seagrass Meadows resilience to global warming: an analysis based on responses at ecophysiological, population and ecosystem levels
PON01_02093 Study of new technologies and technological platforms for the improvement of production processes of active pharmaceutical ingredients of industrial interest and search for new bioactive molecules from natural sources
Leader: Sanofi-Aventis S.p.A.
PON01_02782 New nanotechnological strategies for the development of drugs and diagnostic tools directed to circulating cancer cells (CTC).
Leader: Biogem S.c.a r.l
PON01_00117 Antigens and Adjuvants for Vaccines and Immunotherapy.
Leader: Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics Ltd.
RESIGRASS - An holistic understanding of seagrass functioning and resilience to local-scale disturbances: from molecular to biogeographical scales
S&T MED - Financed by the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin 2007/2013 Program of the European Union
Head: Marina Montresor
Activities
The lab contains equipment and infrastructure used for the study of the functional and taxonomic diversity of marine plankton. In particular, in this laboratory analyses are carried out on the taxonomic and molecular diversity of plankton samples collected at the Long Term Ecological Research site MareChiara in the Gulf of Naples as well as elsewhere, in the frame of participation in regional and global projects. Experimental approaches focus on the physiology and life cycles of marine microalgae and on the feeding behaviour of zooplankton.
Systems for experimentation
- Light- and temperature-controlled walk-in incubator and incubators of different volume for in vivo experiments with phyto- and zooplankton.
- Optical system for video footage of zooplankton organisms.
- Plankton wheel for experimentation with phyto-, micro- and mesozooplankton.
Analysis
- Quantitative analysis of marine phytoplankton and zooplankton.
- Preparation of phytoplankton cultures and their morphological and molecular characterization.
- Phylogenetic analysis.
- "Metabarcode" analysis of marine plankton with Next Generation Sequencing approaches.
Instrumentation
- Stereoscopes and optical microscopes
- Microscope with epifluorescence illumination and digital cameras to take photographs and movies.
- Zooscan with related software.
- Camera System for video-registration of zooplankton movement.
- Area equipped for the isolation of cultures and experimentation (laminar flow hood, microscopes for cell isolation, fluorimeter).
- Molecular Laboratory equipped for DNA extraction, PCR, DNA electrophoresis, preparation for NGS sequencing.
PROJECTS 2026
TERRATWIN: 7 Dimensions Digital Twin of the complex interplay between the climate, marine and land biodiversity including social-economic factors
PI: STEFANNI SERGIO (Partner)
European Project
01/01/2026 - 31/12/2028
Other BEOM Partners: Locatello, Modica, Leone
PROJECTS 2024-2025
Ocean-Robocto: Unveiling Octopus CollaborativE hunting with fish through ANimal-ROBOt interaCTiOns
PI: Piero Amodio (Coordinator)
Extra-European Project
01/05/2024 - 30/04/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
COSMIC: COntrolled Space MIcroecological system supporting eCopoiesis
PI: Piero Amodio (Partner)
National Project
12/10/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
ZooCELL: The evolution of cellular phenotypes in animal diversity: multidisciplinary training in 3D cellular reconstruction, multimodal data analysis and science outreach
PI: ARNONE MARIA IMMACOLATA (Partner)
European Project
01/01/2024 - 31/12/2027
Other BEOM Partners: NO
GRAIL: Golgi Ribbon Architecture in Development and Differentiation
PI: ARNONE MARIA IMMACOLATA (Coordinator)
National Project
28/09/2023 - 27/09/2025
Other BEOM Partners: Ferraro, Benvenuto, Ristoratore
NeuroEvoFun: Dissecting the neurosecretory brain-gut axis function and evolution: from regulome and cell identity to cellular crosstalk
PI: ARNONE MARIA IMMACOLATA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/03/2026
Other BEOM Partners: Annunziata, Benvenuto, S. D'Aniello
SEASIGHT: From the sea for the sight: Identification of novel rna molecules to tackle retinal diseases
PI: SABRINA CARRELLA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/08/2024 - 31/10/2025
Other BEOM Partners: S. D'Aniello, Mirra
MITO SEAS: Mitochondrial Dynamic Modulators from the Seas
PI: SABRINA CARRELLA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/10/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
Development of an innovative combinatorial therapy to tackle age-related macular degeneration
PI: SABRINA CARRELLA (Partner)
National Project
01/12/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
MITOXYMIRs: OxymiRs modulation as gene-independent therapeutic approach in rare mitochondrial diseases
PI: SABRINA CARRELLA (Coordinator)
European Project
10/10/2023 - 30/09/2025
Other BEOM Partners: NO
OxymiRs modulation as gene-independent therapeutic approach in primary mitochondrial diseases -Access to Services
Euro-BioImaging SEELIFE (European)
2025
OxymiRs modulation effect on in vitro model of Aged-macular degeneration (AMD) - Access to Services
PI: CARRELLA SABRINA
Human Technopole National Facility Access (National)
2025
Unraveling Sex Determination in Bivalves: An Integrative Single-Cell Analysis during the Early Embryo Development of Mytilus galloprovincialis
PI: ENRICO D’ANIELLO (Partner)
National Project
28/09/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
Functional and molecular characterization of the circadian clock in the Antarctic key species Euphausia superba
PI: D'ANIELLO SALVATORE (Partner)
National Project
06/11/2024 - 01/09/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
MICRO REPRO: Impact of microplastics and associated contaminants on reproduction and development: a comparative and multidisciplinary study on mechanisms of action and protective strategies
PI: ALESSANDRA GALLO (Partner)
National Project
22/03/2022 - 22/03/2025
Other BEOM Partners: Locatello, Locascio
IMPAVID: Exploring the IMpact of gene Presence-Absence VarIation on mussel reproDuctive fitness and larval survival
PI: ALESSANDRA GALLO (Partner)
National Project
05/10/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
NuForSpe: New nutraceutical formulations to improve sperm quality in different animal species
PI: ALESSANDRA GALLO (Partner)
National Project
01/12/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
SECRETS: Secreted compounds in Echinoderms chemical communication
PI: LEONE SERENA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/12/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
NeuroMITilus: Unraveling the role of mitochondria in coping with Hypoxia/Reoxygenation stress in Mytilus galloprovincialis nervous system - Access to Services
PI: SERENA MIRRA (Partner)
Euro-BioImaging SEELIFE (European)
2025
BIODIVERSITY2DRUGS (B2D): Peptide Biodiversity: Advancing Human Health Through Nature's Pharmacological Treasures
PI: MODICA MARIA VITTORIA (Partner)
European Project
01/04/2025 - 31/03/2028
Other BEOM Partners: Leone, Ponte, Locatello
DEEPVEN: Deep venoms: characterization, evolution and biotechnological potential of mesophotic corals venom from Calabria
PI: MODICA MARIA VITTORIA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/01/2021 - 30/09/2024
Other BEOM Partners: Ferraro, Leone, Ponte
SEDNA-Pp: Whales as ecosystem sentinels: climate-induced changes on migration and feeding behavior in a pristine habitat model
PI: MODICA MARIA VITTORIA (Partner)
National Project
05/10/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: Stefanni
TRADE: TRophic Adaptation and plasticity Drivers in marine Ecosystems
PI: MODICA MARIA VITTORIA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/12/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: Locatello
EUVEN: European Venom Network (COST ACTION)
PI: MODICA MARIA VITTORIA (Coordinator)
European Project
01/11/2023 - 31/10/2024
Other BEOM Partners: Leone
VENOVATE: A Venom-Based Discovery Pipeline for Innovation, Medicine and Sustainable Commercialization (COST Innovators Grant)
PI: MODICA MARIA VITTORIA (Partner)
European Project
01/11/2025 - 31/10/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
SEANERGIES SBEP II: Cell-cultured octopus production through sustainable marine biomass valorization
PI: PONTE GIOVANNA (Partner)
European Project
31/08/2025 - 30/08/2028
Other BEOM Partners: NO
FIASCO: Illuminating range shifts through evolutionary FIASCO: contrasting FaIling And Successful ColOnizations in replicated wild populations
PI: RAFFINI FRANCESCA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/12/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
GENOA: Genetic Nature Observation and Action (COST ACTION)
PI: RAFFINI FRANCESCA (Partner)
European Project
4/10/2024 - 03/10/2028
Other BEOM Partners: NO
DeuteroNoise: Characterization of maritime noise in different european basins and its impact on ecological relevant deuterostome invertebrates
PI: RISTORATORE FILOMENA (Partner)
European Project
01/12/2022 - 31/05/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
PhyloPycno2: Phylogenomics of sea spiders and evolution of arthropods r-opsins
PI: SABROUX ROMAIN (Coordinator)
National Project
22/05/2025 - 21/05/2028
Other BEOM Partners: S. D'Aniello
EuFish European: European fisheries enhancement through "Omic" characterization and innovative seafood production from underutilised fish species
PI: SORDINO PAOLO (Partner)
National Project
14/11/2022 - 13/11/2026
Other BEOM Partners: Romeo
DIGI4ECO: Digital Twin-sustained 4D ecological monitoring of restoration in fishery depleted areas
PI: STEFANNI SERGIO (Partner)
European Project
01/03/2024 - 28/02/2028
Other BEOM Partners: Locatello
EARTH CRUISERS: EARTH’s CRUst Imagery for investigating SEismicity, volcanism and marine natural Resources in the Sicilian offshore
PI: STEFANNI SERGIO (Partner)
National Project
01/06/2018 - 16/05/2022
Other BEOM Partners: NO
D4BLOND: Drone for Biodiversity assessment with imaging, fLow cytOmetry aNd eDNA
PI: STEFANNI SERGIO (Coordinator)
National Project
01/05/2024 - 30/09/2025
Other BEOM Partners: NO
SeNSOR: Smart eDNA/eRNA bioSampler for studying seasOnal biodiveRsity on the Amendolara Seamount
PI: STEFANNI SERGIO (Coordinator)
National Project
01/01/2021 - 14/10/2024
Other BEOM Partners: NO
NEMERTE: NEuroactive MEtabolites and plastics: Re-evaluations Trough a model Elasmobranch
PI: TERZIBASI TOZZINI EVA (Coordinator)
National Project
11/09/2024 - 10/12/2025
Other BEOM Partners: Sirakov, Raffini
SHARKAGE: Evolution of longevity in sharks
PI: TERZIBASI TOZZINI EVA (Partner)
National Project
05/10/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: NO
NONOSENS: The NONO killifish Aphanius fasciatus as ecophysiological SENtinel of vulnerable coastal habitatS
PI: TERZIBASI TOZZINI EVA (Coordinator)
National Project
01/12/2023 - 28/02/2026
Other BEOM Partners: Sirakov, Sordino
Copyright © 2015 by Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli - Italy
Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli - Tel.+39 081 5833111 - C.F./P.IVA : IT 04894530635 - PEC: ufficio.protocollo(at)cert.szn.it