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On October 2, a research article about the findings related to transmissible cancer in cockles was published in the journal Nature Cancer, and it was covered by both national and international press. In this study, researchers Seila Díaz, Ricardo Calado, and Fernando Ricardo from CESAM/DBIO at the University of Aveiro participated.

According to Seila Díaz, the lead co-author of the study, “In this study, we examined cockles collected across Europe to create a collection of nearly 400 cockle tumors. Through the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) network, we obtained live cockles for diagnosis from various locations in Europe, including the Ria Formosa (Algarve).”

This research discusses how cockles, a species commonly found on the Portuguese coast, can contract transmissible cancers that spread through live cancer cells present in seawater. The results of this study revealed a reference genome sequence of cockles, which is an essential step in studying the evolution of these contagious cancers.

“To continue learning about contagious cancers in the sea, it’s important to continue collecting and providing high-quality genetic data. Additionally, since cockles have a high-quality genome, they can be a model species for studying these contagious cancers that also affect mammals,” states the lead researcher of the study.

The most notable discovery in this study was the presence of unprecedented genomic instability in transmissible cockle cancers. This challenges the previous belief that genomic stability is a fundamental requirement for the long-term survival of cancer cells. This discovery is particularly surprising because, unlike human cancer cells, which cannot thrive under high levels of chromosomal instability, transmissible cockle cancers can do so. This finding may have valuable implications for the development of new cancer treatment strategies in humans in the future.

Ricardo Calado asserts, “Cockles are a very important marine resource in Portugal, and the highest prevalences of transmissible cancers in Europe have been recorded on the Portuguese coasts. Therefore, Portugal should actively participate in future studies to better understand the origins and ecological and economic implications of this new concept of cancer.”

Fernando Ricardo reinforces this by saying, “With this study, we found that there are two types of contagious cancers that affect cockles, mainly from the southern coast of Europe, and these two contagious cancers are not present in all cockle populations. This is why the movements of bivalves must always be authorized because they can cause more serious ecological damage than one might initially think.”

This study was conducted by the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) in Spain, in close collaboration with researchers from CESAM – University of Aveiro, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and 11 other institutions, with partial financial support from the European Research Council through a grant awarded to researcher José Tubío (USC).

Seila Díaz continues to study these marine cancers through the research project called ShipClones. This project is funded by the European Union through the Marie Curie program, one of the most prestigious and competitive postdoctoral programs in Europe. This project is dedicated to studying the dynamics of these cancer transmissions and seeks to develop faster diagnostic techniques to minimize the effects of these cancers on bivalve populations.

Learn more about this article here.

Text by: Seila Díaz in collaboration with CESAM.

Newton Gomes, the principal investigator of the BLUECOMPOSITE project, shared with us some details about the recently completed project and explained how the achieved results can open new pathways for the industry and contribute to the development of more sustainable aquaculture.

CESAM: How did the idea for the BLUECOMPOSITE project come about?

Newton Gomes: The BLUECOMPOSITE project emerged from the urgent need to find solutions to mitigate disease outbreaks in aquaculture. The high density of fish in aquaculture facilities has led to more frequent and severe disease outbreaks, which poses a significant obstacle to the economic and sustainable development of the industry worldwide. Our main goal with BLUECOMPOSITE was to develop an innovative technological tool that would allow the production of biologically derived composite materials. These materials have the ability to release bioactive substances while promoting the modulation of the microbiome, nutrient cycling, and animal health in aquaculture systems, especially in recirculating systems (RAS).

CESAM: What are composite materials?

Newton Gomes: Composite materials are materials made by combining two or more different components to create a material with specific functional characteristics. For example, in the BLUECOMPOSITE project, we developed materials in the form of meshes with unique characteristics. These meshes can be used for controlled release of health-promoting substances, promoting the development of beneficial microorganisms, and improving the water quality in production systems.

CESAM: We’d like to get to know the faces behind this project better. Could you tell us a bit more about the people involved in this project?

Newton Gomes: The BLUECOMPOSITE team consists of me as the coordinator, along with researchers Daniel F.R. Cleary, António M.O. Louvado, Vanessa J. Oliveira, Davide A.M. Silva from CESAM/DBio, and Victor F. S. Neto (TEMA/DEM). We also had valuable collaboration from the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Riasearch, Lda (a research and development company in aquaculture), and Silva & Ventura – Tornearia Mecânica, Lda.

CESAM: Since the project has concluded, we’d like to hear about some of the achieved results.

Newton Gomes: So far, we have managed to develop and validate equipment, products, and an innovative technological tool that allows aquaculture companies to create customized materials to modulate the microbiome of their systems, promote nutrient cycling, and improve the health of the animals produced. This progress has already led us to file patent applications at the national and European levels.

CESAM: These results sound very interesting. Can you explain how they can directly benefit society in general?

Newton Gomes: The technology we have developed has enormous potential to improve the production of aquatic animals and make a significant contribution to the aquaculture sector. It can help reduce production losses due to disease outbreaks, decrease the need for antibiotics, and address important issues like the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and food safety. Ultimately, BLUECOMPOSITE promotes the development of a more organic and sustainable aquaculture.

CESAM: We can’t conclude this conversation without learning about the plans for the future and what you intend to do with these results.

Newton Gomes: After the project’s conclusion, we are planning to establish contacts with potential investors and partners to bring our technology to the market. We are currently in the process of identifying partners interested in participating in this endeavor. UACOOPERA (UA) will also actively collaborate in identifying, establishing contacts, and negotiating partnerships with external entities to mature and commercialize this innovative technology.

CESAM: Thank you very much. We look forward to hearing more about the BLUECOMPOSITE project in the future.

To learn more about the BLUECOMPOSITE project, visit: [link provided]

The BlueComposite project (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-181223) was funded by Centro 2020 – Portugal 2020, European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The project was based on results previously obtained in the AquaHeal project (MAR-02.01.01-FEAMP-0031), funded by MAR2020, the Operational Program of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (FEAMP).

Between September 4 and 6, 2023, the “5th International Conference on Food Contaminants: Challenges on exposure assessment, health impact, and sustainability of food systems” (ICFC 2023) took place at the Agronomic Institute of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil. This event was organized by INSA and held in a hybrid format, in partnership with CESAM, the University of Aveiro, and the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering of the University of São Paulo, with the support of FAPESP and SCBTA.

For the first time, the event was held outside Portugal, with the theme “Let’s Open Horizons,” aiming to strengthen the ties between Portugal and Brazil in the field of food safety and human health. ICFC2023 featured four sessions that included topics such as contaminant occurrence, exposure assessment and health impact, sustainability of food systems, and collaborative networks and their impact on society. These sessions included a plenary lecture by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the subject, nine presentations by invited speakers from Europe and Brazil, 17 oral communications by participants, and two round tables with three brief communications each. Approximately one hundred participants from 12 countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa attended the event, and 57 posters were presented, with the best poster being awarded.

CESAM actively collaborated in the conference with the involvement of various members, including MI Paula Alvito as the chair; Amadeu Soares, who was invited for the opening session; Diogo Cardoso, who presented “Environmental Circularity: Agriculture, Waste Management, Insects” in person; Marcia Braz with the online presentation “Effect of bacteriophages against biofilms of Escherichia coli on food handling surfaces”; Prof. Artur Alves as a member of the organizing and scientific committee; and Prof. Susana Loureiro, part of the Scientific Committee. Additionally, four posters were presented by CESAM researchers.

The five key messages from ICFC2023 emphasized the importance and necessity of i) conducting more studies on human exposure risk assessment to multiple contaminants; ii) increasing knowledge about the toxicity of emerging marine biotoxins, which currently have limited scientific knowledge; iii) reinforcing the development of research on new sources of proteins (including insects), as well as waste reuse and their food safety, which are essential for the sustainability of food production systems; iv) disseminating and promoting access to databases to enhance knowledge about human exposure assessment to contaminants; and v) expanding horizons and integrating scientific knowledge through international cooperation between various continents, such as Europe (Portugal) and America (Brazil), with different experiences, aiming to promote a more effective response to the challenges posed by climate change.

Text by: Paula Alvito

The Portuguese Ecological Society celebrated the Ecology Day once again, an international initiative that brings ecology and society together in the search for a more sustainable human development. To mark the day, research centers, environmental non-governmental organizations, companies, and municipalities were invited to think and develop a set of activities and educational resources aimed at raising public awareness on various ecological issues.

CESAM was represented on that day through the activities carried out by researchers Bruna R. F. Oliveira (CESAM/DAO) and Inês Domingues (CESAM/DBio), who shared a bit of their experience.

Bruna Oliveira, from the RESTORE4Cs team at the University of Aveiro, organized an informative scavenger hunt in the Ria de Aveiro to celebrate Ecology Day 2023. According to the researcher, “this activity, aimed at the local community of all ages, focused on ecosystem services, such as salt extraction, plants used for nutrition, bird nesting, flood control, tourism, and leisure.” The event was co-organized with the A-AAGORA project and had the support of the Municipality of Aveiro and the Portuguese Ecological Society.

On the other hand, Inês Domingues, responsible for the “Caring for the Forest” activity, told us that “despite heavy rain that surprised the participants, the occasion was not wasted.” The LifeTerra project, which has supported reforestation activities in the Bosque da Ramalheira, through its representative in Portugal, Carlos Carvalho, awarded the researcher in the LifeTerra Climate Action Awards 2022-2023, in the “Most Involved Terra Leader” category. The award was celebrated with a convivial lunch.

The Ecology Day proved to be a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of ecology and commitment to nature.

Learn more about this initiative here: https://www.ecologyday.eu/

On September 19th, the Tejo Estuary Biodiversity Forum took place in Alcochete as part of the celebrations for the 47th anniversary of the Tejo Estuary Nature Reserve (RNET). This event, which had CESAM as a partner, aimed to establish and strengthen partnerships with a view to realizing shared visions for the Tejo Estuary, focusing on the preservation of its natural resources and values.

The Forum featured the presence of researchers José Alves (CESAM/DBIO), José Pedro Granadeiro (CESAM/FCUL), and Teresa Catry (CESAM/FCUL), who discussed the topic of Avifauna in the Tejo Estuary. Among the topics discussed by our researchers, the international importance of the Tejo Estuary, the conservation of wader birds in this region, and the need to reconcile agriculture with biodiversity conservation were highlighted.

The gathering brought together, in one place, researchers and other key stakeholders in the process of conserving the biodiversity of the Tejo Estuary, representing another step toward the long-term preservation of this area.

Helena Vieira, a researcher from CESAM/DAO and the ERA Chair Holder of the BESIDE Project, participated, at the invitation of CAA – Atlantic Arc Commission (whose national partner is CCDR-LVT), in the process of producing recommendations for public policies aimed at promoting an innovation ecosystem in the Blue Economy.

These recommendations aim to boost the growth of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Atlantic area, providing them with greater access to financing, promoting gender diversity in the sector, and removing legislative barriers to innovation.

According to the researcher, “the invitation to participate as a member of the Academy, representing the University of Aveiro (CESAM/DAO), but also as a European expert in the Blue Economy, is a privilege that I particularly cherish because it shows that science is increasingly called to the table of important decisions. It is with pleasure that I see that the contributions I provided have been incorporated into this document, particularly regarding emerging sectors such as the Blue Bioeconomy. I also emphasize the contributions related to the need to promote circularity and sustainability in the design of public funding and support programs for the development of the blue economy and the absolute need to promote productive and transformative innovation in the more traditional sectors, pillars of the blue economy, which should not be overlooked in this European dual transition.”

The work aims to strengthen the innovation landscape in the Atlantic region, especially in areas related to the Blue Economy, such as port and aquaculture digitization, ocean renewable energies, and blue biotechnology. It culminated in the production of a document that lists a set of policy recommendations to European Union decision-makers to make the Atlantic innovation ecosystem more robust, dynamic, and interconnected. The recommendations presented are based on the experience of the European FAN-BEST project, meetings with innovation stakeholders in the Atlantic area, and stakeholders involved in Atlantic blue innovation projects.

The FAN-BEST project is an INTERREG project in the Atlantic Area, which began in January 2019 and ran until June 30, 2023. This project focused on transferring research results to SMEs in the Atlantic Area related to Blue Economy sectors, thanks to the establishment or leverage of a network of agents acting as funders and guides for startups and SMEs.

Learn more about the Atlantic Arc Commission here.

Text by: CESAM in collaboration with Helena Vieira.

Yesterday, on September 13, 2023, the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) enthusiastically celebrated its Annual Day. The event brought together its integrated members in a day that began with a plenary meeting of the Scientific Council. During the meeting, participants discussed and approved various proposed changes to the current CESAM regulations, presented by the scientific coordinator of CESAM, Professor Amadeu Soares. These changes included the creation of several new positions and bodies, updates to the scientific structure in line with the new strategic plan, and other key points for the continuous development and improvement of the research center.

During the meeting, the new CESAM institutional video was presented, emphasizing the work carried out by its members, as well as their dedication to research and various areas of expertise. For those who couldn’t be present for this premiere, they have the opportunity to watch the video here.

The celebrations of this day culminated in a socializing dinner attended by the University’s Rector, Prof. Paulo Jorge Ferreira, Administrator, Dr. Mário Pelaio, and Vice-Rectors Prof. Artur Silva and Prof. João Veloso. This moment provided an atmosphere of camaraderie and fellowship, where CESAM members had the opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration.

It can be said that CESAM Day was a success, uniting its community and reinforcing its members’ commitment to the institution and its values.

Olga Ameixa, coordinator of the Working Group “Benefits and Risks of Exotic Biological Control Agents,” participated as a member of the scientific committee and organizer, as well as a speaker at the 5th meeting of the Working Group “Benefits and Risks of Exotic Biological Control Agents,” held at the University of Aveiro from September 11th to 14th.

According to the researcher, this event managed to bring together some of the world’s top experts in person and discuss current challenges in the implementation of biological control programs, especially classical biological control involving the use of exotic organisms. It also provided a platform for discussing ways to make the use of this ecosystem service more flexible and the need to better inform the public and policymakers about the benefits of this method of phytosanitary protection.

This meeting was important in consolidating the working group’s actions and fostering future collaborations.

The meeting brought together various experts and professionals working in areas related to the benefits and risks associated with exotic biological control agents. Representatives from various organizations and networks from different countries, including several European countries, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, and China, attended.

The main areas covered during the meeting were:

• Benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents for pests and emerging pathogenic organisms
• Interactions of biological control agents with native species
• Benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents worldwide
• Synergies between different organizations and networks dealing with exotic biological control agents
• Benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents in agroforestry production systems
• Benefits and risks of biological control of invasive exotic plants
• Ecology of exotic biological control agents

Biological control involves releasing living organisms into the environment to control pests or weeds that can have a negative impact on crops, native biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The consequences of current phytosanitary protection methods on biodiversity and health are now at the center of several policy agendas, such as the EU’s Green Deal strategy, which aims to reduce the use of synthetic and hazardous pesticides by 50% and have 25% of agricultural land cultivated with organic crops. In this context, the implementation of biological control methods for food production will be necessary. As a non-chemical and targeted input, biological control can offer a sustainable solution for agriculture, reducing soil contamination, increasing biodiversity, and ultimately improving soil health. It can, therefore, facilitate the European Green Deal, especially the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Pollinators Initiative, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

To learn more about this organization and its working groups, click here.

The TV series “Warriors for Nature” premieres on September 18th at 10:45 PM on RTP1. This series, produced by PlaySolutions Audiovisuais, has CESAM as a partner entity.

Joaquim Pedro Ferreira, a researcher and science communicator at CESAM, shares authorship with Paulo Caetano and co-directs with Pedro Miguel Ferreira.

Gender equality is one of the priorities of the United Nations. In many professions in the Western world, men and women work side by side. Science is one such example where women are currently at the forefront. However, there are many other cases of successful women who represent female empowerment.

In Portugal, a group of women dedicates their careers to Nature Conservation. Their work makes a difference, contributing significantly to ensuring the future of threatened species and protected habitats. These are remarkable stories of perseverance, altruism, and scientific rigor told in the first person.

Throughout six episodes, the “Warriors for Nature” series will showcase the achievements, challenges, and hopes of these women. And how, through their work, they shape the future of nature conservation in Portugal.

Watch the promotional video for the series here.

On the 13th of September, starting at 3:00 PM, the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) will once again celebrate CESAM Day with its integrated members in the Renato Araújo auditorium at the University of Aveiro. Over the years, this celebration has created moments of socializing, camaraderie, idea-sharing, and strengthening of bonds among our members.

Amadeu Soares, coordinator of CESAM, emphasizes the importance of this event, stating that on this day, “it is customary to gather the plenary of our Scientific Council to deliberate on various matters, followed by a socializing moment. This year, the tradition continues, so in addition to the opportunity to meet and socialize with a community that is physically dispersed in their day-to-day activities, both during the meeting itself and, more informally, during the dinner that follows, this year the Scientific Council will discuss and deliberate on various important matters for the future of CESAM, including the creation of new bodies and the new scientific organization.”

Since its establishment in 2002, CESAM has been a reference center committed to research, innovation, and environmental preservation. The work carried out over the years has contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the search for solutions to the challenges we face in various areas of CESAM’s activities. This special day is an occasion to celebrate all the members who have contributed to the continued success of this institution.

Event program:

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Plenary of the Scientific Council

Event opening by Amadeu Soares, CESAM coordinator, with a message addressed to CESAM members.

Presentation of the New CESAM Institutional Video

Plenary Meeting

7:00 PM – Socializing dinner at “Castro” (mandatory registration)

At the end of the event, all CESAM members are invited to participate in a socializing dinner, free of charge but subject to prior registration, held in a reserved area for CESAM at the Crasto cafeteria, where we can socialize.

Please register for the dinner here until 3:00 PM on tomorrow, September 8th.

Join us in this celebration of CESAM Day.

Together, we will be stronger, taking care of the future.