Research fellow
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Calabria Marine Centre - CRIMAC
Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department (BLUBIO)
C.da Torre Spaccata, Località Torre Spaccata, 87071 Amendolara – Italia
Tel.: 3297488825
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Supervisor: Dott.ssa Giovanna Romano
Appointed on project: CRIMAC - Centro Ricerche e Infrastrutture Marine Avanzate in Calabria
Research interests
My research interests focus on the study of phytoplankton communities, with particular attention to diatoms — a group of siliceous microalgae that represent an essential component of marine phytoplankton. Diatoms play a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles, significantly contributing to carbon fixation and oxygen production, and forming the basis of aquatic food webs.
At the CRIMAC facility, I work on the isolation and maintenance of key species strains, which are then characterized from morphological, molecular, and functional perspectives. Special attention is given to the production of secondary metabolites and to the formation of resistance spores, involved in defense, competition, and inter- and intra-specific communication.
An additional area of interest involves the selection and characterization of microalgal strains with high tolerance to heavy metals, to assess their potential for application in bioremediation strategies.
The ultimate goal is to contribute to the understanding, protection, and enhancement of microalgal biodiversity, a fundamental yet still largely unexplored resource, especially in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean.
Posters
- Greca T., Sorrel C., Balzano S., Pennesi C., Romano G., Marano A., Manfredi C., Romeo T. and Barra L. “Selection and Characterization of Cadmium-Resistant Microalgae from Calabrian Sea and Gulf of Taranto for Potential Phycoremediation Applications”, XXIX Congresso AIOL, 3-6 Giugno, Ancona, Italia.
- Mussi A., Greca T., Montresor M., Sarno D., Kooistra W.H.C.F. “Combining molecular, morphological and biogeographical approaches to characterize two potentially new species within the genus Chaetoceros”. Riunione Annuale Gruppo di lavoro per l’Algologia, Napoli, 27 - 28 Ottobre 2023. (Presentazione orale da parte di Mussi A.)
- Madeo M.L., Chaerle P., Chepurnova O., Vyverman W., Montresor M., Ferrari M., Greca T., Bruno L., Romano G., Cozza R. “Exploring cryopreservation techniques for the long-term storage of Chaetoceros socialis at different life cycle stages”. Riunione Annuale Gruppo di lavoro per l’Algologia, Napoli, 27 - 28 Ottobre 2023. (Presentazione orale da parte di Madeo M.L.)
- Madeo M.L., Ferrari M., Greca T., Bruno L., Chaerle P., Chepurnova O., Vyverman W., Montresor M., Romano G., Cozza R. “Preliminary study of Mediterranean diatoms species to improve the production of fucoxanthin and the challenge to their long-term preservation”. Riunione Annuale dei gruppi di lavoro SBI, Biologia Cellulare e Molecolare - Biotecnologie e differenziamento, Ancona, 21-23 Giugno 2023. (Presentazione orale da parte di Madeo M.L.)
