Projects / Programmes
Drivers that structure coastal marine microbiome with emphasis on pathogens – an integrated approach
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B260 |
Biomedical sciences |
Hydrobiology, marine biology, aquatic ecology, limnology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.06 |
Natural Sciences |
Biological sciences |
Marine pathogens, Diversity, Bacteria, Phytoplankton, Coastal marine environment, Enhanced detection, Environmental modeling, Tracing models
Researchers (14)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Outbreaks of diseases in marine organisms are increasing worldwide, causing many viruses, pathogenic bacteria, and toxic species of cyanobacteria and phytoplankton. Despite considerable advances in recent years, knowledge on the importance of pathogenic bacteria in marine organisms is lacking or incomplete. It is necessary to understand the impacts of disease in marine environment due to their fundamental impact on community composition, the dynamics of biogeochemical processes, marine food webs changes and the health of marine ecosystems. Witin the proposed research project we will assess the presence/occurance, abundance, activity and diversity of pathogenic and other potentially harmful microbes in coastal marine environment (the Gulf of Trieste, N Adriatic). First, coastal marine microbiomes of potential hot spots will be assessed and based on this, an extensive list and database of potentially pathogenic and harmful microbial species will be made. Specific bacterial pathogens of interest will be selected, upon screening of the 16S rRNA amplicons dataset and of the sequence database based on the culture collection of microbes, and this will serve as baseline to design specific molecular assays (qPCR, ddPCR, LAMP) for their further detection and quantification during in situ survey. We will develop and test quick, reliable and cost-efficient methods for tracing and quantification of selected pathogenic and harmful microorganisms in the coastal water. At last, the spreading pattern of potentially pathogenic/harmful microorganisms will be predicted by developing oceanographic model and the relationship between microbial community and a set of environmental factors will be assessed using appropriate statistical models. In addition, will be performed a set of enrichment laboratory experiments to investigate adaptation of pathogenic microbes to high salinity and their potential impact on the ambient marine microbial community structure and function.
One of the main outcomes of the project will be the first extensive and reliable database/inventory of the marine microbiomes. At the same time, culture collection of selected strain, represents potential source of microbes for blue biotechnology sector, will be created, archived and made available to innovative research sector, blue economy agents and promoters. The second main outcome of the project are new tools and methods for fast, reliable and precise detection and quantification of pathogenic strains, which could be potentially used/applied in the regular monitoring and to be developed into commercial service/products. Overall, our integrated interdisciplinary approach will provide important inputs for the development of more accurate statistical and oceanographic ecosystem models t can be further applied as warning systems in the coastal environments and as such can contribute to the safeguard of human health and wellbeing.
The project is multidisciplinary oriented, combining knowledge and up-to-date techniques available in marine microbial ecology, metagenomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, marine chemistry, statistic, biophysics and physical oceanography. The applicant will collaborate with scientists that are experts in different fields. The preliminary scientific experiences and available resources support project feasibility.
This project is of great relevance for broader scientific community because is tackling different areas of research – ecology of marine microbes, effect of natural and/or anthropogenic pressures on marine environment, ecosystem and oceanographic modelling. The scientific results will be published in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. We will open a specific website - page for the project, which will be used to disseminated project’s achievements. All genomic results will be deposited at publically available databanks and all publications will be made open access.
Significance for science
This project is of great relevance for broader scientific community because is tackling different areas of research – ecology of marine microbes, effect of natural and/or anthropogenic pressures on marine environment, ecosystem and oceanographic modelling. Furthermore, this project is potentially of great interest for public as its outcomes are directly linked with human health and wellbeing. The scientific results will be published in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. We will open a specific website - page for the project, which will be used to disseminated project’s achievements.
All metagenomic results will be deposited at publically available databanks and all publications will be made open access in accordance with Slovenian National Strategy on open access to scientific publications and research (2015-2020). This project has a potential to bring/develop a quick and reliable method of detection of dominant pathogens in marine environment and will bring/develop an important tool (model) to predict their dispersion/occurrence in study area. As such is of potential great interest to research innovative sector, blue economy agents and promoters and will be presented at science fairs and festivals. Any potential IP issues arise during the project will be handled with NIB’s IP Office.
One of the main goals of Slovenian environmental policy is to achieve good environmental status (in accordance with Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and pathogenic microbes are one of the descriptors. We will actively engage diverse group of key stakeholders, including both national monitoring authorities and national/EU policy makers, and public to discuss the concept and impacts of the legacy of pathogenic bacteria and harmful phytoplankton species in marine environment. These activities will occur throughout the duration of the project. We will clearly present the context and importance of the problem in an understandable way, and we will set out different policy options and make recommendations regarding the best way forward to increase ecosystem services and the overall health of the Adriatic ecosystem.
Our dissemination strategy will include social media, popular science publications and newsletters in order to (1) make our science accessible to the public, (2) help management authorities and policy makers to make the best decisions, and (3) help fulfil the needs of society. We will increase the reliability of predictions of ecosystem changes by providing better knowledge of the environmental status of Slovenian coastal waters and the whole Adriatic Sea. We plan to implement outreach activities, at Open Day Events and Researchers Night, in close collaboration with media and schools to inform society about the most important aspects of pathogenic bacteria in environment and about project’s outcomes. Dissemination will also be achieved through special website designed to communicate project’s outcome to scientific and general public and through MBP/NIB official website.
Significance for the country
This project is of great relevance for broader scientific community because is tackling different areas of research – ecology of marine microbes, effect of natural and/or anthropogenic pressures on marine environment, ecosystem and oceanographic modelling. Furthermore, this project is potentially of great interest for public as its outcomes are directly linked with human health and wellbeing. The scientific results will be published in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. We will open a specific website - page for the project, which will be used to disseminated project’s achievements.
All metagenomic results will be deposited at publically available databanks and all publications will be made open access in accordance with Slovenian National Strategy on open access to scientific publications and research (2015-2020). This project has a potential to bring/develop a quick and reliable method of detection of dominant pathogens in marine environment and will bring/develop an important tool (model) to predict their dispersion/occurrence in study area. As such is of potential great interest to research innovative sector, blue economy agents and promoters and will be presented at science fairs and festivals. Any potential IP issues arise during the project will be handled with NIB’s IP Office.
One of the main goals of Slovenian environmental policy is to achieve good environmental status (in accordance with Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and pathogenic microbes are one of the descriptors. We will actively engage diverse group of key stakeholders, including both national monitoring authorities and national/EU policy makers, and public to discuss the concept and impacts of the legacy of pathogenic bacteria and harmful phytoplankton species in marine environment. These activities will occur throughout the duration of the project. We will clearly present the context and importance of the problem in an understandable way, and we will set out different policy options and make recommendations regarding the best way forward to increase ecosystem services and the overall health of the Adriatic ecosystem.
Our dissemination strategy will include social media, popular science publications and newsletters in order to (1) make our science accessible to the public, (2) help management authorities and policy makers to make the best decisions, and (3) help fulfil the needs of society. We will increase the reliability of predictions of ecosystem changes by providing better knowledge of the environmental status of Slovenian coastal waters and the whole Adriatic Sea. We plan to implement outreach activities, at Open Day Events and Researchers Night, in close collaboration with media and schools to inform society about the most important aspects of pathogenic bacteria in environment and about project’s outcomes. Dissemination will also be achieved through special website designed to communicate project’s outcome to scientific and general public and through MBP/NIB official website.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
