HomeArchive for "Molecular ecology of the marine benthos"

Molecular ecology of the marine benthos

The general goal of our group is assessing evolutionary and ecological processes in benthic systems using molecular tools: genes, proteins and secondary metabolites for answering questions that otherwise could not be approached. We aim to understand the diversity and functioning of the marine benthos for predicting changes as a response to environmental alterations, both natural and man-induced.
The main current study topics are:

1. Taxonomy and phylogeny,(morphological and molecular) of benthic species (with emphasis on sponges, polychaetes, crustaceans, ascidians, and fishes) and assemblages (metagenetics).
2. Life cycles of benthic organisms: reproduction, growth and differential gene expression along their life cycle.
3. Species dispersal, adaptation/selection, population genetics, demography, and phylogeography of native and introduced species at spatial and temporal scales.
4. Marine symbiosis, with macro-and micro-organisms: molecular, biological, and ecological approaches
5. Production of secondary metabolites by marine benthic organisms: ecological functions and biotechnological applications
6. Differential gene expression of benthic organisms under changing environmental conditions (molecular, biological, and ecological responses)