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

FASTIDIO: 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 (Partner)
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

Reference: Anna Palumbo

Laboratory equipped for studies of the biochemistry of marine organisms including adaptive responses and immune system.

It includes an area for analysis of proteins and nucleic acids, and classic and basic biological laboratory equipments.

Systems for the experimentation

• UV Spectrophotometer UV, recording spectra of UV/visible and enzyme kinetics.
• electrophoresis on polyacrylamide and agarose gel.
• Centrifuges.
• Chromatography.

Analysis

• Measure of the response of marine organisms (adult and embryonic and larval stages) to environmental factors.
• Morphological characterization and evaluation of biochemical parameters (doses of enzyme activities, evaluation of the cellular redox state).
• Gene Expression, proteins and post-translational modifications induced by stress.
• Purification and biological characterization of proteins and metabolites from marine organisms.

Reference: Graziano Fiorito

Analysis of the behavior of marine organisms and its adaptive plasticity.

It includes apparata for image and video analysis, video recordings, morphological and morpho-functional analysis of the nervous system and other organs and systems.

Classic and basic biological laboratory equipments are also provided.

Systems for the experimentation

• Technologies for the observation and measurement of behavior.
• Systems for the morpho-functional analysis.
• Anterograde and retrograde transport in nerve fibers. Electrophysiology as applied to nervous system.
• Ultrasound and sonography.

Analysis and approaches

• Morfo-functional characterization of neural systems as applied to marine invertebrates.
• Biological, cellular and physiological analysis of learning and memory recall.
• Neural modulation.
• Assessment of variability of behavioral responses.
• Analysis sensory-motor systems.

Equipment

• Ultrasound devices.
• Sliding and rotary microtomes, cryostat.
• Video cameras and video-recording systems (digital and analogue).

Reference: Maria I. Arnone

Laboratory dedicated to the study of embryonic development of marine organisms, including functional analysis of gene regulatory networks.

It includes areas for molecular biology and in situ hybridization, microinjection and electroporation of zygotes.

It also includes classic and basic biological laboratory equipments.

Systems for experiments

DevBio Lab uses different model organisms such as ascidians (Ciona, Molgula), sea urchins (Paracentrotus, Strongylocentrotus), sea stars (Patiria), amfioxus (Branchistoma) and fishes (Danio).

The lab carries it activities in collaboration with units Meda e MaRe for collecting, rearing and keeping these organisms.

Analysis

• Spatial and temporal study of gene expression during embryonic development by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, Real Time qPCR (in collaboration with Mb&Bi unit), western blots.
• Disruption of gene expression (knock-out, knock-down, overexpression and transgenesis) by microinjection (antisense oligonucleotides, RNA) or elecroporation (DNA).
• gene expression and morphofunctional analysis fenotipi ottenuti.

Equipments

• Systems for microinjection (microscopes, including stereo and inverted microscopes) in sea urchins, sea squirts and fish.
• Electroporation in eukaryotic cells.
• Stereomicroscopes for observation and manipulation of embryos.
• Cells thermostated (at various temperatures) for the culture of embryos and larvae.
• Microscopes equipped with high-resolution cameras for spatial analysis of gene expression.
• Analysis of movement to characterize behavioral phenotypes.

Reference: Filomena Ristoratore

Laboratory equipped for the study of molecular aspects of physiological responses of marine organisms at various stages of life cycle.
Includes areas equipped for electrophysiology and molecular biology, cell culture and basic laboratory equipments.

Systems for experimentation

• Genomic amplification and gene expression.
• Electrophysiology.

Analysis

• Physiological responses of marine organisms to stimuli.
• Membrane potential during fertilization events of marine organisms.
• Electrophysiology and Neurophysiology.
• Physiological analysis of immune responses in marine invertebrates.

Equipments

• Eletrophysiological Set-ups.
• Cell culture apparata.
• Molecular biology (nucleic acids and proteins).

Reference: Remo Sanges

Laboratory equipped for studies of computational genomics throughout bioinformatics approaches.

Systems for experimentation

Databases, high throughput functional genomics.

Analysis

Computational approaches, bioinformatics, comparative genomics, data-mining (genomics and transcriptomics in marine organisms).

Strumentazioni

• Personal computers.
• Workstations and servers.

Reference: Maria Costantini

The Laboratory of Marine Genomics and Epigenetics is aimed at developing novel approaches for the study of genomes of marine organisms by applying multidisciplinaty approaches.

It encompasses approaches for the study of epigenetic modifications to study the evolution of diversity and adaptative capabilities of organisms.

The Lab includes areas equipped for molecular biology and genomic and proteomic analysis.

Systems for experimentation

• Facilities for molecular analysis applied to the study of genomes of marine organisms.
• Systems for the morpho-functional characterization and genome analysis.

Analysis

• Genomic approaches to study genome organization in marine organisms.
• Transcriptomics.
• Genomic analysis of the functioning of marine organisms and systems.
• Gene expression (Real Time qPCR, Western Blot).
• Proteomic approaches to study epigenetic modifications (metilation, de-metilation, acetylation, histone and chromatine modifications, etc.).
• Proteomic approaches (antibodies) to identify epigenetic modifications induced by evolution and interaction of organisms with the environment.

Equipments

• Electrophoresis, DNA and proteins.
• PCRs including gradient.
• Scanners for micro-arrays and gene expression.

The Ischia Marine Center (IMC) is an interdepartmental center located on the Island of Ischia., The research focus of the IMC is on vulnerability assessment of marine coastal ecosystems and organisms through an integrated approach, highlighting the interactions between anthropogenic activities and climate change, with applications to environmental protection, outreach, and restoration actions. The aim of IMC research activities is to facilitate cooperative research between internal and external researchers, interdisciplinary collaborations, and interactions with public and private stakeholders.

IMC main lines of research include:

1) Benthos ecology: the study of the effects of global changes on biodiversity, plant-animal interaction, and the microbiome associated with marine species.
2) Ecophysiology and biotechnology: the morpho-functional study of coastal communities associated with seagrasses and chemical ecology, also through cultivationof model organisms and research of new biotechnologies.
3) Fisheries oceanography: the study of fish eggs and larvae to understand the variations in abundance and distribution of fish populations related to regional oceanographic factors and global change in climate.
4) Taxonomy of marine organisms: the Marine Organisms Taxonomy Unit (MOTax) at the IMC focuses on the analysis of the benthic communities (sorting, LPT identification, analysis of ecological data).

The IMC is organized into three structures with two functional areas:

Villa Dohrn, historical site, built in 1906 as the private residence of the Dohrn family. In 1969 the building became the Benthos Ecology Laboratory. Villa Dohrn is currently undergoing a major renovation and repurposing project, to become the new "Research Center for Adaptation of Marine Ecosystems to Climate Change".

MEDAS Center (Marine Ecological Data Analysis and Synthesis), with the aim of analyzing existing information to address the pressing questions and needs, including economic ones, in the context of Blue Growth. At the momentMEDAS is the operational headquarters of the IMC and the Ecology Functional Area of the Benthos/Nekton for the entire EMI Department of the SZN.

Diving Centre, that oversees scientific diving to support research activities at sea, with Functional Area Diving Center Ischia, located near the mooring of the SZN vessel Beagle Junior, operated by the IMC.

Coordinator Maria Cristina Vigo Majello This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +39 338 4926845 +39 081 5833401

Personnel

Coordinator
Maria Cristina Vigo Majello

Administration
Messina Rosanna
Patti Francesco

Senior Researcher
Ciannelli Lorenzo
Teixidó Núria
Zupo Valerio

Researcher
Mazzella Valerio

Technologist
Lorenti Maurizio

Technician
Chiarore Antonia
Guglielmo Rosanna
Iacono Bruno
Mirasole Alice
Rando Vincenzo

Scholarship
Italiano Anna

PhD student
Liguori Gianluca
Nannini Matteo
Somma Emanuele

The  staff of Villa Dohrn-Benthic ecology is carrying on long-term research in some sites around the Island of Ischia, which represent pilot stations for continuous and multifacets monitoring of species, communities and ecosystems which have some uniqueness or high ecological importance since include species and habitat protected in the frame of  the European Community legislation.

Posidonia oceanica systems off  Lacco Ameno and Castello Aragonese

These are two seagrass meadows around the Island of Ischia of the higher plant species Posidonia oceanica, which is protected by the European legislation and it is considered one of the reference habitat  for the evaluation of the water quality and ecosystem health in the frame of the Marine Strategy. Both Posidonia meadows have been included in the network of the marine sites of the LTER-Italy ("Italian  long-term ecological research network"), and have been studied for various ecological aspects since many years from the staff of Villa Dohrn. Additional details about these two sites and about the LTER-Italy project are available on the specific item (LTER-Italy) of this web site, as well as at: http://www.lteritalia.it

Volcanic CO₂ vents of the Castello Aragonese and other sites around the Island of Ischia

These pilot stations represent unique sites where gaseous CO₂, from volcanic origin, is bubbling under water, at ambient temperature and salinity, thus provoking only a natural acidification of the surroundings sea-waters. Around the waters of the Castello Aragonese of Ischia, in particular, the bubbling is creating a gradient of pH-pCO₂ concentration and acidification affecting mainly the shallow rocky vegetated reef and a nearby shallow Posidonia oceanica system. In the other sites around Ischia, located not far from the Castello vent’s system, the bubbling and local acidification is affecting some of the most typical habitat of the Mediterranean, such as semi-obscure cave habitat, coralligenous outcrops, deeper rocky reefs and Posidonia meadows, as well as sandy and detritic bottoms. As a whole, these sites allow to study in real time the effects of ocean acidification, in relation to the near-future scenarios of climate change, and are utilized by the staff and various collaborators/guests as natural laboratories to perform in situ observation and experiments.

Research project ended in 2014-2015

• ASSEMBLE
• COST-Action Seagrass Productivity ES0906
• Tropical signals (CIESM)

Research project in progress:

• MIUR Project Bandiera RITMARE (2012-2015)
• VulnerClima (Ritmare-Cofund Bandiera)
• "Windows on the future ocean" (National Geographic, USA)
• NEMO (NExt generation Marine Observatories) (Premiali MIUR)
• Premiali ACIDIT
• FP7 - Perseus (Policy-oriented marine environmental research in the southern european seas)
• LTER-Italia
• LifeWatch MedPan
• PTSZN(2013-2015)- Program 4. Environmental variability, climate change and anthropogenic impacts: adaptive responses in species, communities and benthic systems.

Responsible: Francesco Paolo Patti

In the laboratory of Integrative taxonomy of benthic organisms (TIOM) one can perform analyses of classical taxonomy, phylogeny and comparative phylogeography of marine organisms using multisciplinary and integrative approaches, such as morphology, biometry, molecular and cellular analyses.

Activities

• Sorting of benthic samples of marine organisms, identification and counting of taxa.
• Taxonomic identification of marine organisms with traditional morphological methods and with more advanced molecular tools (including the preparation of genetic and ecological voucher specimens).
• Extraction and conservation of DNA from different organisms and (algal thalli and invertebrate tissues).
• Extraction of RNA  from different organisms (algal thalli and invertebrate tissues).
• Extraction of secondary metabolites.
• Elettrophoresis in agarose minigel  and digital documentation.
• Amplification of DNA (ss, ds).
• Cloning of DNA target fragments (plasmid preps, restriction and PCR analysis).
• Real-Time fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction.
• DNA barcoding.
• Preparation of DNA fragments for sequencing of target markers  (in collaboration with the Unit of Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics of the SZN).

Systems for the experimentation

• Specific laboratory protocol setting
• System of bioinformatics analyses for 1) study of the nucleotidic variability (creation of soft-ware for metadata analyses); 2) study for comparison of morphotypes by mean of morphometric geometry techniques.

Analysis

Analyses of DNA sequences, including the reconstruction of phylogenetic trees.
Analyses of morphological variability  and genetic polymorphism.
Analyses of allelic frequencies and genotypic distribution.
Analyses of polymorphysms of the DNA restriction fragments.
Preparation of samples for morphological analyses (use of fixative for observation at the optical and electron microscopes), and for molecular analyses (cryopreservation, standard fixatives, RNALater).

Instrumentation

• Stereomicroscopes.
• Vibratome.
• Rotavapor.
• Chemical flume.
• Laminar flow flume.
• Apparatus for minigel electrophoreris.
• Laboratory refrigerated centrifuge.
• Spectrophotometer "Genequant Pro Classic".
• Termocyclator PCRs (Techne- Euroclone).
• RTPCR BIO RAD Opticon 2.
• Incubator for cell cultures.
• Analytical balance.
• Thermostatic bath (5l, +30°C/+120°C).
• Laboratory Vortex.
• Autoclave/Sterilizer.
• Granular ice-machine.
• Dewars for liquid nitrogen (5l+30l).
• Vertical ultra-freezer -86°C.
• Vertical freezers  -20°C.
• UVP BioDoc imaging workstations for simple and gel fluorescence image analyses.
• Dedicated computer for phylogenetic analyses and data mining.