On 12 June, from 13:00 to 14:00, in Room 9.1.1 (DEMaC), the Ocean Break seminar “Exploring phage integration in bivalve depuration” will take place, presented by João Duarte, PhD student at the Department of Biology and CESAM.

Each year, emerging viral outbreaks remind us of the profound impact microorganisms can have on human health. However, not all viruses are harmful. Bacteriophages, or phages — the natural predators of bacteria — are increasingly being explored as sustainable tools to address bacterial challenges in fields ranging from medicine and food safety to aquaculture.

As water quality continues to deteriorate and rising temperatures promote the spread of pathogenic bacteria, the bivalve production and depuration sectors face growing environmental and microbiological pressures. In this session, the potential integration of phages into depuration systems will be explored, seeking to understand whether these viruses could become a promising solution to improve bivalve safety and sustainability.