Anthropic impact, bioactive molecules, sustainable development, my keyword? Biodiversity!

Abstract

Biodiversity is my main research focus and that of my research group. We study a range of different aspects concerning biodiversity, such as the impact anthropic activities have on biodiversity and how to improve its preservation, its use as a valuable resource for the extraction of bioactive molecules, and the study of its distribution. The research group has over twenty years of experience in the study of zoology, and, more in particular, the immune and behavioural responses of aquatic invertebrates and fish. For many years, the group has observed the effects of various anthropogenic activities, such as the acoustic and chemical impacts on the physiological and behavioral responses of invertebrate organisms, such as Arbacia lixula and Mytilus galloprovincialis, and of fishes, such as Sparus aurata, evaluating not only adult stage but also embryonic stage [1,2]. From a sustainable development perspective, we have recently turned our attention to an evaluation of the nutritional potential of aquaculture species which are recent additions to farming in Sicily: Cherax quadricarinatus and Cherax destructor [3]. However, biodiversity, as well as needing our protection, is also a resource which we can seek to harness in an eco-sustainable way. In recent years, research in our group has focused on the extraction of bioactive molecules from invertebrates and vertebrate living organisms (including from waste from the processing industry), with evident antimicrobial, anticancer and food preservation potential [4]. Last but not least, the regenerative capacities of invertebrate organisms such as Holothuria tubulosa [5] were evaluated with the possibility of transferring this knowledge to the biomedical sector. In addition to carrying out the aforementioned research, we are currently working on a nationally funded PON research project to conduct a freshwater biodiversity census in Palermo, including environmental DNA evaluation.