Category: Sem categoria

Between the 16th and 18th of June 2025, the international workshop “OMALI | Omega Marine Lipids – Enhancing the exploration and analysis of marine-derived lipids for healthy and sustainable diets” took place at the University of Aveiro.

The event was organised by Rosário Domingues, researcher at CESAM/DQ and professor in the Department of Chemistry, together with Diana Lopes and Felisa Rey, researchers at CESAM/DQ. It was held in the framework of the collaboration with the European network EuroMarine Research Network and brought together internationally renowned experts in the field of marine lipids.

Over the course of three days, the workshop provided a platform for scientific exchange and interdisciplinary discussion on the latest advances in the exploration, analysis, and application of marine-derived lipids, with a particular focus on their role in healthy and sustainable diets, both for human and animal nutrition.

The initiative welcomed researchers from institutions across various European countries, as well as representatives from companies in the aquaculture sector. The audience was also international and diverse, including early-career scientists, postgraduate students, and professionals from the fields of aquaculture, nutrition, biochemistry, biotechnology, and marine sciences.

OMALI represented a unique opportunity to strengthen scientific collaboration networks and to promote the excellence of the research carried out at the University of Aveiro, within the global context of food sustainability challenges and the valorisation of marine resources.

CESAM is leading the RePor – Restoration of Oyster Reefs in Portugal project, aiming to develop an innovative strategy to restore and strengthen the resilience of oyster reefs along the Portuguese coast.

Coordinated by CESAM/DBIO researcher Daniel Cleary, with the collaboration of Newton Gomes, also from CESAM/DBIO, the RePor project (ref: MAR-016.9.1-FEAMPA-00004) is supported by the Mar2030 program, co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA) under the action “Support for the Protection and Restoration of Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems.”

The project received a favorable opinion from the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), as it aligns with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and contributes to the implementation of the Northeast Atlantic Environmental Strategy of the OSPAR Convention. OSPAR is a marine convention aimed at protecting the marine environment of the Northeast Atlantic.

This project proposes an innovative approach to restore oyster reefs, which have suffered significant decline due to overexploitation and pollution, aiming to recover and enhance the ecological, economic, and social benefits of these important ecosystems.

Innovative techniques will be developed and applied to increase the resilience of juvenile oysters (Ostrea edulis), including pre-conditioning to thermal and salinity shocks, combined with microbiome modulation. The project builds on a recently developed technological platform, consisting of porous, biodegradable polymeric meshes that allow for the controlled release of microbial modulators. This technology was developed by the same team under the AquaHeal(MAR-02.01.01-FEAMP-0031, Mar2020) and BlueComposite (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-181223, Portugal 2020) projects, and is protected under the patent application EP23188811.6.

Following lab testing, the treated oysters will be transplanted to areas of the Ria de Aveiro, where indicators such as health, growth, microbial composition, and survival rate will be monitored.

Through this work, the project aims to contribute to the development of effective and sustainable strategies for the restoration of degraded marine habitats, based on biotechnological solutions adapted to the increasing environmental pressures on coastal ecosystems.

A multidisciplinary research group from the University of Aveiro, in collaboration with the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, has developed a set of molecules that improve medical imaging with lower toxicity and enable photodynamic tumour therapy.

The multidisciplinary team includes Adelaide Almeida, a researcher at CESAM and professor in the Department of Biology; M. Amparo Faustino and M. Graça Neves, both from LAQV-REQUIMTE – Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry; Rui Pereira, from the School of Health Sciences of the University of Aveiro (ESSUA); and Rúben Fernandes, professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (at the time of the invention). Together, they synthesised a set of molecules that act as contrast agents with enhanced performance in medical imaging and, simultaneously, offer therapeutic effects through antitumour photodynamic therapy.

This technology, titled “Iodinated Porphyrins, their production methods, formulation, pharmaceutical composition, and uses”, is the result of extensive research conducted within the scope of a doctoral thesis at the University of Aveiro, in collaboration with the Polytechnic Institute of Porto. It is now part of a nationally granted patent.

In an explanatory note, the research team highlights that, compared to currently used contrast agents in clinical practice, these new molecules stand out for integrating—within a single structure—the ability to detect tumours more efficiently in two imaging modalities: computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Simultaneously, they exhibit therapeutic action on the tumour itself. In other words, the patented molecules serve as diagnostic contrast agents while also possessing therapeutic properties, allowing for direct treatment of tumour tissue. This advance could significantly improve the prognosis for cancer patients.

Moreover, the team notes that the newly developed compounds demonstrate lower toxicity compared to conventional contrast agents used in clinical settings. This is due both to the intrinsic nature of the compounds and to the lower quantities required, as well as their preferential accumulation in tumour tissue.

As such, this technology represents an innovative solution in the field of healthcare, specifically in radiodiagnosis, by combining high-precision medical imaging (CT and MRI) with low toxicity and simultaneous treatment.

Original article: Notícias UA, 13 June 2025
Photo credit: José M. G. Pereira

The University of Aveiro recently hosted the second edition of the flagship conference of the Environmental Biotechnology Division of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), focused on the role of biotechnology in achieving the goals of the European Green Deal. The event brought together over one hundred specialists from academia and industry, representing more than 20 countries from both within and outside Europe.

The local organisation was led by Joana Pereira, researcher at CESAM, and Sónia Ventura from CICECO, with the support of their respective research units. Reflecting on the event, Joana Pereira noted that “It was a pleasure to host at the University of Aveiro the second edition of the flagship conference of the Environmental Biotechnology Division of the European Federation of Biotechnology, which brought together over a hundred experts from academia and industry, from more than 20 European and non-European countries — many visiting the University for the first time.

In the aftermath, my colleague and friend Sónia Ventura and I, as local co-organisers with the support of our research units (CESAM and CICECO), have been deeply gratified by the excellent feedback we’ve received from participants and colleagues on the scientific committee, both regarding the high scientific quality of the event and the warm welcome provided by the University of Aveiro.”*

The scientific programme addressed key topics such as the circular bioeconomy, environmental bioengineering, sustainable bioprocesses, and policy integration. It also fostered discussions on biotechnology’s contribution to the ecological and industrial transformation envisioned in the scope of the European Green Deal.

Further information about the conference is available on the EFB website.

Following its World Ocean Day launch, everyone from scientists to conservationists, and from community groups to environmental funders now have access to an innovative new knowledge sharing platform: SeagrassRestorer.

Ana Sousa, researcher at CESAM and professor at Department of Biology , said: “The launch of SeagrassRestorer marks a turning point for the global seagrass community. This platform allows us to share lessons learned — including our setbacks — and to learn from others facing similar challenges in similar and/or different environmental and geographical conditions.”

“In Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), since 2018, our team has seen both the promise and the complexity of restoring Zostera noltei and Zostera marina habitats”, mentioned Ana Sousa, the contact point of SeagrassRestorer at University of Aveiro, one of the Founding Partners – “and this platform is a vital step toward more effective, science-based restoration that supports climate resilience, biodiversity, and coastal communities’ challenges and needs”.

Some of the University of Aveiro seagrass restoration R&D projects concluded or ongoing are BioPradaria (MAR2020/EMFF), Remoliço (MAR2020/EMFF), Remedrigrass (FCT/FEDER), SEAREST-BC, REWRITE (Horizon Europe), LIFE SeagrassRiaWild (Life+), A-AAGORA (Horizon Europe), BLUE-REWET (FCT), wherein seagrass restoration methods have been (and will be) tested, optimized and up-scaled.

Launched by an international partnership comprising some of the world’s leading seagrass scientists, SeagrassRestorer provides a unique opportunity to learn not just from each other’s restoration successes but, perhaps more importantly, each other’s restoration failures.

Seagrass meadows have faced significant losses across the globe. In response to this, a growing number of initiatives are underway in an attempt to restore these vital underwater ecosystems, with projects taking place in diverse locations ranging from temperate estuaries to tropical lagoons. But seagrass restoration is not as simple as planting trees on land. While some projects have achieved notable success, most scientists agree that the majority of seagrass restoration projects fail to meet their intended goals.
SeagrassRestorer fosters global collaboration and knowledge sharing within the global seagrass restoration community like never before. Users can share and download information on where, when, and how seagrass restoration projects have been undertaken, and, importantly for those planning their own projects, what methods have worked, and what methods have not.

SeagrassRestorer represents a crucial step forward in the field of seagrass restoration. Filling a critical gap by providing an open-access, interactive, and continuously updated portal that records details of seagrass restoration projects across the globe. By centralizing data, promoting transparency, and fostering collaboration, it aims to accelerate progress in marine habitat restoration and contribute to the resilience of coastal ecosystems.

Founding partners of SeagrassRestorer include Project Seagrass, Swansea University, Deakin University, Universiteit Stellenbosch, University of Groningen, Universidade do Algarve, Hassanudin University, Göteborgs universitet, Dalhousie University, CQ University, and University of Aveiro.

Vesa Havurinne, Heta Mattila, Paulo Cartaxana, and Sónia Cruz, researchers at CESAM/DBIO, together with collaborators from the University of Turku, Finland, have published a study in the journal Communications Biology showing that a common light acclimation mechanism, known as “State Transitions” — which allows green algae to adjust light absorption in response to spectral changes in incident light — is absent in an order of green macroalgae: the Bryopsidales.

Bryopsidales are part of a larger group of algae, Ulvophyceae, that contains species commonly used as food source by very peculiar animals, photosynthetic sea slugs (Sacoglossa). These animals specifically steal chloroplasts from their algal prey and maintain these alien organelles, called kleptoplasts, functional inside their cells for weeks and months in a process known as kleptoplasty. While the lack of state transitions in sea slugs containing Bryopsidales-derived kleptoplasts came as no surprise in this study, the lack of state transitions in sea slugs feeding on other ulvophyte algae that did exhibit strong state transitions was a peculiar finding.

Further investigation revealed that the loss of state transitions in the sea slugs happens immediately upon incorporation of the kleptoplasts. Using confocal microscopy, the chloroplast-to-kleptoplast transition was shown to alter the structure of the chloroplasts dramatically; the chloroplasts in the ulvophyte alga Acetabularia acetabulum exhibited highly diverse shapes and sizes, whereas the kleptoplasts of the sea slug Elysia timida were always highly spherical and seemingly smaller in size.

Experimental manipulation of A. acetabulum chloroplasts to a more spherical shape also resulted in the loss of state transitions, which suggests that the structural changes to the chloroplasts are the overarching mechanistic reason behind their loss in the sea slugs. Other sea slug-prey algae combinations were also inspected under the microscope, which revealed that all kleptoplastic sea slugs enforce a remarkably spherical shape of their kleptoplasts, indicating that it is a fundamental property of functional kleptoplasty in sea slugs.

Figure legend: Major differences in chloroplast shapes between Ulvophyceae macroalgae and both functional and non-functional kleptoplast-bearing sea slugs.

At the beginning of 2025, researchers José Alves and Camilo Carneiro, both from CESAM/DBIO, were contacted by IBAP (Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas of Guinea-Bissau) to support the ongoing nomination of the Bijagós Archipelago for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Sites designated as World Heritage must possess Outstanding Universal Value, meaning they hold fundamental cultural and/or natural significance and meet strict selection criteria. The Bijagós Archipelago is one of the most important wintering grounds in Africa for migratory shorebirds along the East Atlantic Flyway and holds numerous other cultural and natural values that deserve protection for future generations. Following a field visit in late 2024, IBAP received a series of questions from IUCN, on behalf of the evaluation panel, regarding species distribution and the use of different zones within the proposed area.

José Alves, researcher at CESAM/DBIO, explains that the contribution involved two complementary aspects: “on one hand, through the production and dissemination, over the past years, of various scientific publications on macrobenthos, shorebirds and their interactions with local communities; on the other, through a rapid response to IUCN requests following the technical evaluation mission, which included compiling and analysing unpublished data on the spatial use of the archipelago by migratory shorebirds equipped with tracking devices such as GPS tags.”

In less than a week, the scientific team, which also includes Camilo Carneiro, provided the necessary information, showing that between 80% and 95% of the locations from tracked birds occurred within the proposed core protection zone. This evidence proved decisive for IUCN’s recommendation to inscribe the Bijagós Archipelago on the World Heritage List — a milestone that, in José Alves’ words, represents “an important achievement for biodiversity conservation in West Africa. This international recognition guarantees a high level of legal protection for this coastal ecosystem, which is particularly important for shorebirds that are experiencing more severe population declines in this part of the flyway than in other regions.”

With this designation, the Bijagós will become the fifth site along the East Atlantic Flyway to join the list of UNESCO sites with Outstanding Universal Value. Inclusion in this international network will reinforce conservation efforts for migratory shorebirds, contributing to reversing population decline trends across multiple species.

The Directors of the Research Units / Associated Laboratories CCMAR (Centre of Marine Sciences of the Algarve), CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro), CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research), MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre), and OKEANOS (Institute for Marine Science Research / University of the Azores) published the following open letter in the Público newspaper:

Portugal is a nation historically and deeply connected to the sea. We have inherited a vast ocean, rich in biodiversity and full of potential, but also fraught with challenges. Managing this heritage requires more than goodwill — it demands solid knowledge, consistent investment, and long-term strategic vision.

What was once an insurmountable barrier is now the most important global route for transporting goods. What used to be an inexhaustible source of food is now an ecosystem where many fish stocks are on the brink of collapse due to overfishing. What was once distant and pristine now receives waste produced by human activity. The sea exerts a constant influence on our lives, notably through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Portugal’s ocean area far exceeds its land territory and is seen by many as an untapped gem — a hidden treasure largely yet to be discovered. Its importance is evident in the growing share of maritime economic activities in the national GDP, now at around 5%.

But the Ocean is much more than its most tangible economic value. It is the Ocean that governs our climate. Life on Earth began in the ocean, and it harbours the planet’s greatest biodiversity — much of it still unknown to science. From the Ocean we derive oxygen, energy, food, and much more. The Ocean absorbs much of the carbon dioxide we emit by burning fossil fuels. Without the Gulf Stream, Portugal’s climate would be much colder and harsher. Without the Ocean, Earth’s temperature would be unbearable, making life impossible.

Portugal is entrusted with a significant portion of this natural capital — the Atlantic Ocean — which must be preserved to ensure the well-being of future generations. This is a responsibility that cannot be ignored. And to manage it effectively, knowledge and education are essential.

Despite significant advances in recent decades, science in Portugal continues to face structural and funding limitations, in part due to the country’s well-known budgetary constraints. These challenges hinder its consolidation and international competitiveness.

As in other scientific domains, Marine Sciences in Portugal have advanced considerably, as evidenced by the country’s scientific output per capita, which now ranks second in Europe, behind only Norway. However, we still need to better understand our seas — which requires a science policy and resources that enable us to stand on equal footing with leading international institutions in the field.

Ocean research has its specific challenges

Compared to land-based environments, water is far more viscous than air, and pressure increases by one atmosphere for every 10 metres of depth (one atmosphere being the pressure exerted by the mass of air at sea level). This means that ships, submersibles, and other aquatic vehicles are needed to explore the sea. Moreover, salt water is corrosive and degrades materials more quickly than freshwater or terrestrial environments. This makes marine research, much like space exploration, more expensive than research conducted on land.

In reality, Portugal lacks the means to adequately study its exclusive economic zone — whether in terms of ships, submersibles, or fixed observation systems. National research vessels are rarely accessible to universities and research centres, making it impossible to develop strategies and programmes that go beyond the short term. The existing fleet is, in part, outdated, with high maintenance costs and frequent breakdowns, resulting in prolonged downtimes and insufficient capacity.

Neighbouring countries, such as Spain, have adopted more integrated and collaborative management models that facilitate access by the scientific community to research vessels and promote synergies between institutions. The Spanish oceanographic fleet is coordinated by the Commission for the Coordination and Monitoring of Oceanographic Vessel Activities (COCSABO), ensuring collaboration across institutions and alignment with national and European scientific goals.

It is crucial to guarantee Portuguese scientists access to research vessels — known as “ship time” — and for that, collaboration with state laboratories such as IPMA is essential.

Humanity faces major challenges that can only be addressed through joint action — with ocean preservation at the heart of these efforts. Portugal is responsible for a vast ocean area, which brings added responsibilities in the international context, but also unique opportunities in the blue economy of the future.

Over recent decades, Portugal has established itself as a nation with a scientific vocation and a commitment to knowledge. It is vital that, even in the face of global challenges, the country maintains its commitment to investing in science, recognising its essential role in building effective and sustainable solutions. The goal of reaching 3% of GDP in R&D investment by the end of the decade should be embraced as a national strategic objective — not only to ensure greater global competitiveness, but also to provide a strong foundation for sustainable development.

In the case of Marine Sciences, this effort is even more urgent and relevant. It is a field in which research demands advanced and complex technological tools, with high operating costs and specialised infrastructure. More consistent investment in this area would not only deepen our understanding of the ocean, but also position Portugal as a key partner in tackling climate change, preserving marine biodiversity, and enhancing the value of natural resources.

Securing this future requires placing science at the centre of strategic and structural decisions — and recognising the ocean as a national asset that deserves to be studied, protected, and valued based on the best available knowledge.

On June 5, 2025, the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) of the University of Aveiro joins the celebrations of World Environment Day, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in scientific research focused on environmental sustainability, ecosystem conservation, and the mitigation of global change.

This day, established by the United Nations in 1972, is an opportunity to highlight the urgent need to protect the planet by promoting public policies and practices grounded in solid scientific knowledge — a central mission of CESAM throughout its two decades of activity as an Associate Laboratory.

With an integrative and transdisciplinary approach, CESAM structures its research into three Thematic Lines and six Research Clusters that address critical areas of environmental and marine sustainability.

Among the many ongoing projects, today we highlight the following as representative of CESAM’s broad scope:

The FONDA project – Fostering Nitrogen Deposition Assessment – aims to strengthen national capacity in modelling and mapping emissions, transport, transformation, and deposition of reactive nitrogen compounds. This is achieved through strategic partnerships with TNO (Netherlands) and Freie Universität Berlin (Germany), positioning CESAM as a national reference in air quality modelling.

PASTURE+, a project that seeks to improve the sustainability and resilience of sown Mediterranean pastures through the use of biochar, aiming to optimise the interaction between soil, plants, and biota. This will increase pasture productivity and quality and enhance essential ecosystem services, such as water and carbon retention.

RESTORE4Cs, which analyses how the restoration of coastal wetlands contributes to climate change mitigation. One of its goals is to assess carbon storage potential, emissions reduction, and ecosystem benefits. The project develops methodologies to guide restoration actions based on ecological and socioeconomic data and creates decision-support tools to improve climate and biodiversity policies.

“Our scientific dynamism, articulated with the existence of structured transversal research lines, the drive and quality of our members, and the growing interaction with diverse stakeholders, enables CESAM to address contemporary environmental challenges in an integrated manner,” states Amadeu Soares, Director of CESAM. “Our work is aligned with society’s needs, contributing — even through fundamental research, as well as more targeted efforts — to the formulation of sustainable policies based on solid scientific evidence, with the goal of promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development,” concludes the Director of CESAM.

On 28 May, the second edition of the “Pitch or Perish” competition took place, an initiative organised by the PhD Students Group of CESAM (GED-CESAM).

The event featured the participation of several CESAM doctoral students, who presented their research projects in a short and direct pitch format. The aim was to promote the ability to communicate science clearly and accessibly.

During the presentations, there was space for interaction with the audience, who asked questions and contributed to the discussion. The panel of evaluators highlighted the quality and originality of the presentations.

The initiative aimed to encourage good scientific communication practices and foster the exchange of ideas among students and researchers within the CESAM community.