Researcher
Integrative Marine Ecology Department
Tel. +39 081 5833xxx
e-mail mirko.mutalipassi(at)szn.it
Contatto Skype: mirko.mutalipassi
Research interests
The research activity ranges from marine ecology to biotechnology, animal physiology and the reproduction of marine invertebrates, with a particular focus on benthic organisms. More in detail, I am interested in the role of chemical signals in marine environments, a research field that is attracting the interest of the scientific community, also in relation to (chemical) biodiversity loss and in the framework of the EU 30x30 and Marine Protected Areas strategy. The importance of chemical communication and bioactive molecules is not only related to intra- and interspecific interactions as they are today, but it is also important for understanding the effects of anthropogenic stressors, such as contaminants and the consequences of climate change. Such interference can affect the communication and behavioral responses of organisms and entire communities. In this field it is essential to use a multidisciplinary approach that combines chemical ecology with classic ecotoxicological and chemical investigations to better predict and anticipate threats to marine organisms or with biotechnological studies to find the potential of the discovered molecules. Furthermore, it is important to discover and understand the response of target species, at multiple levels, to subtle impacts (e.g. nanoplastics and/or metabolites of invasive species). The aim of my research, in general terms, is represented by a better understanding of the role of chemical signals in the benthos and within the coastal systems to develop the best strategies for its conservation with a view to sustainability.
Selected Publications
1. Mutalipassi, M., Mazzella, V., Schott, M., Fink, P., Glaviano, F., Porzio, L., et al. (2022). Ocean Acidification Affects Volatile Infochemicals Production and Perception in Fauna and Flora Associated With Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. Frontiers in Marine Science 9. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.809702.
2. Sanchez-Arcos, C., Paris, D., Mazzella, V., Mutalipassi, M., Costantini, M., Buia, M. C. C., ... & Zupo, V. (2022). Responses of the Macroalga Ulva prolifera Müller to Ocean Acidification Revealed by Complementary NMR-and MS-Based Omics Approaches. Marine Drugs, 20(12), 743.
3. Mutalipassi, M., Mazzella, V., Glaviano, F., and Zupo, V. (2022). Constitutive and activated toxigenic activity of Halomicronema metazoicum (Cyanoprokaryota, Cyanophyta). Mar. Ecol., e12697. doi: 10.1111/maec.12697.
4. Levy, T., Zupo, V., Mutalipassi, M., Somma, E., Ruocco, N., Costantini, M., et al. (2021). Protandric transcriptomes to uncover parts of the crustacean sex-differentiation puzzle. Front. Mar. Sci. 8. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.745540.
5. Mutalipassi, M., Riccio, G., Mazzella, V., Galasso, C., Somma, E., Chiarore, A., et al. (2021). Symbioses of Cyanobacteria in marine environments: Ecological insights and biotechnological perspectives. Mar. Drugs 19. doi: 10.3390/md19040227.
6. Mutalipassi, M., Fink, P., Maibam, C., Porzio, L., Buia, M. C., Gambi, M. C., et al. (2020). Ocean acidification alters the responses of invertebrates to wound-activated infochemicals produced by epiphytes of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. J. Exp. Mar. Bio. Ecol. 530-531, 151435. doi: 10.1016/j.jembe.2020.151435.
7. Mutalipassi, M., Mazzella, V., Romano, G., Ruocco, N., Costantini, M., Glaviano, F., et al. (2019). Growth and toxicity of Halomicronema metazoicum (Cyanoprokaryota, Cyanophyta) at different conditions of light, salinity and temperature. Biol. Open 8. doi:10.1242/bio.043604.
8. Mutalipassi, M., Mazzella, V., and Zupo, V. (2019). Ocean acidification influences plant-animal interactions: The effect of Cocconeis scutellum parva on the sex reversal of Hippolyte inermis. PLoS One 14, e0218238. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218238.
9. Zupo, V., Mutalipassi, M., Glaviano, F., Buono, A. C., Cannavacciuolo, A., and Fink, P. (2019). Inducers of settlement and metamorphosis of the shrimp Hippolyte inermis Leach in Posidonia oceanica. Sci. Rep. 9, 1–11. doi: 10.1038/ s41598-019-48110-7.
10. Sahm, A., Almaida-Pagán, P., Bens, M., Mutalipassi, M., Lucas-Sánchez, A., De Costa Ruiz, J., et al. (2019). Analysis of the coding sequences of clownfish reveals molecular convergence in the evolution of lifespan. BMC Evol. Biol. 19, 89. doi: 10.1186/s12862-019-1409-0.
