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)