Researcher
Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms Department
Tel. +39 081 5833233
e-mail alessandra.gallo(at)szn.it
Contatto Skype: alexia-gal
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5u61-okAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra
ERC sectors - Impact of stress (including environmental stress) on physiology (LS4_8), Ecotoxicology, biohazards and biosafety (LS9_12)
Settori scientifico-disciplinari - Anatomia comparata e citologia (BIO/05), Biologia applicata (BIO/13)
Lab Members
Esposito Maria Consiglia
Romdhani Ilef
Research interests
Reproductive success is a key factor for species’ fitness and survival. It strictly depends on gamete quality defined as the ability to fertilize or to be fertilized and, subsequently, to develop into a normal embryo. Gamete quality assessment, therefore, represents the first step in evaluating the reproductive potential and is based on the estimation of various morphological and functional parameters. The aim of my research activity is to elucidate the biological mechanism underlying gamete quality, identify new predictive markers of gamete quality and develop innovative, rapid, sensitive and cheap approaches for their evaluation. In this framework, my studies are expanded to reproductive and developmental toxicology in marine organisms, since it is well-known that several environmental factors can cause adverse effects on reproductive health. Marine environment, in particular, is continuously subjected to anthropic pressures, whose effects are the introduction of contaminants and climate changes. Marine organisms with external fertilization release the gametes into seawater where fertilization and subsequent embryo development occur; consequently, environmental stressors, by altering the quality and/or physiology of gametes and embryos, may affect reproductive success with serious consequences for species fitness and survival and, thereby, possible repercussions on biodiversity and functionality of marine ecosystems. Using an integrated ecotoxicological approach that includes standardized and innovative biological assays as well as analysis of gamete quality biomarkers, I investigate the biological responses induced by the exposure to classic (metals) and emerging contaminants (bisphenols, alkylphenols, nanoparticles, nanomaterials, microplastics) and physical stress (ocean acidification and global warming) on gamete quality, fertilization and embryo development. These studies will allow us to understand the mechanisms that mediate the biological damage associated with pollution and provide tools for assessing the quality of the marine environment.
Selected Publications
Gallo, A., Esposito, M.C., Boni, R., & Tosti, E. (2022). Oocyte quality assessment in marine invertebrates: a novel approach by fluorescence spectroscopy. Biological Research, 55(1), 1-10.
Gallo, A., Esposito, M.C., Tosti, E., & Boni, R. (2021). Sperm motility, oxidative status, and mitochondrial activity: Exploring correlation in different species. Antioxidants, 10(7), 1131.
Gallo, A., Boni, R., & Tosti, E. (2020). Gamete quality in a multistressor environment. Environment International, 138, 105627.
Gallo, A., Esposito, M.C., Cuccaro, A., Buia, M.C., Tarallo, A., Monfrecola, V., Tosti, E., & Boni, R. (2020). Adult exposure to acidified seawater influences sperm physiology in Mytilus galloprovincialis: laboratory and in situ transplant experiments. Environmental Pollution, 265, 115063.
Gallo, A., Manfra, L., Boni, R., Rotini, A., Migliore, L., & Tosti, E. (2018). Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of CuO nanoparticles in sea urchin spermatozoa through oxidative stress. Environment International, 118, 325-333.
