A5006495683- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Wastewater Treatment and Nitrogen Removal
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Chromium effects and bioremediation
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Water Treatment and Disinfection
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Odor and Emission Control Technologies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Myxozoan Parasites in Aquatic Species
- Industrial Gas Emission Control
- Legionella and Acanthamoeba research
University of Pisa
2012-2023
Università di Camerino
1981-2013
Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria
2006
Austrian Academy of Sciences
2005
Technical University of Munich
2000
Cornell University
1995
Ambiente Italia (Italy)
1993
We describe the phenotypic and molecular characterization of twinstar (tsr), an essential gene in Drosophila melanogaster. Two P-element induced alleles tsr (tsr1 tsr2) result late larval or pupal lethality. Cytological examination actively dividing tissues these mutants reveals defects cytokinesis both mitotic (larval neuroblast) meiotic testis) cells. In addition, mutant spermatocytes show aster migration separation during prophase/prometaphase divisions. have cloned affected by mutations...
Abstract Encystment is a reversible cell differentiation process that also requires an antagonistic process, i.e. excystment. Both processes are genetically encoded. of common occurrence among free-living ciliates and may serve several different purposes. In some ciliates, this part the regular life cycle (reproductive cyst), while many other undergo encystment when environmental conditions become adverse (resting cyst). review, phases aspects in such as ecological role, cyst formation,...
"Neglected Rickettsiaceae" (i.e. those harboured by non-hematophagous eukaryotic hosts) display greater phylogenetic variability and more widespread dispersal than pathogenic ones; yet, the knowledge about their actual host range shift mechanism is scarce. The present work reports characterization following full-cycle rRNA approach (SSU sequence, specific in situ hybridization, ultrastructure) of a novel rickettsial bacterium, herewith proposed as 'Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila' gen....
Epixenosomes, ectosymbionts on hypotrich ciliates (genus Euplotidium ) defend their host against the ciliate predator Litonotus lamella. Although here only itoi and arenarium from tide pools along a rocky shore near Leghorn (Ligurian sea) were studied in detail, these epibionts are certainly present specimens of E. other species similar north coastal habitats. The complex life history epixenosomes has two main stages. In stage I, cells with typical prokaryotic structure divide by binary...
The order Rickettsiales (Alphaproteobacteria) is a well-known group containing obligate endocellular prokaryotes. encompasses three families (Rickettsiaceae, Anaplasmataceae, and Holosporaceae) fourth, family-level cluster, which includes only one candidate species, "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii," as well several unnamed bacterial symbionts. broad host range exhibited by the members of Midichloria" clade suggests their eventual relevance for better understanding evolution symbiosis...
Abstract Members of the order Rickettsiales are often found in association with ciliated protists. An interesting case is bacterial endosymbiont “ Candidatus Megaira”, which phylogenetically closely related to pathogen Rickettsia . Megaira” was first described as an intracellular bacterium several ciliate species. Since then it has been diverse evolutionary distantly-related hosts, among them other unicellular eukaryotes, and also algae, metazoa, such cnidarians. We provide characterization...
Taxonomy is the science of defining and naming groups biological organisms based on shared characteristics and, more recently, evolutionary relationships. With birth novel genomics/bioinformatics techniques increasing interest in microbiome studies, a further advance taxonomic discipline appears not only possible but highly desirable. The present work proposes new approach to modern taxonomy, consisting inclusion descriptors organism characterization: (1) presence associated microorganisms...
ABSTRACT. Rickettsia ‐like organisms (RLO) are obligate, often highly fastidious, intracellular bacterial parasites associated with a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Despite their importance as causative agents severe mortality outbreaks in farmed aquatic species, little is known about life cycle host range. The present work reports the characterization “ Candidatus Cryptoprodotis polytropus,” novel bacterium common ciliate species Pseudomicrothorax dubius by means “Full‐Cycle...
The Polynucleobacter-Euplotes association is an obligatory symbiotic system between a monophyletic group of ciliate species belonging to the genus Euplotes and bacteria Polynucleobacter necessarius (Betaproteobacteria). Both organisms are unable survive independently. Several studies revealed existence free-living populations which phylogenetically closely related endosymbiotic ones, but never share associations with in natural environment. Hence, following most parsimonious explanation on...
Holospora spp. and "Candidatus Gortzia infectiva", known as Holospora-like bacteria (HLB), are commonly found nuclear endosymbionts of ciliates, especially the Paramecium genus. HLB related by phylogenetic relationships, morphological features, life cycles, which involve two alternating morphotypes: reproductive infectious forms (RF, IF). In this paper we describe a novel species belonging to "Ca. Gortzia" genus, detected in P. multimicronucleatum, ciliate for infection an has not been...
ABSTRACT. This study represents the first extended report on a species of ciliathd genus Peritromus , widespread in marine biotopes, characterized by dorso‐ventral differentiation peculiar among Heterotrichea. Morphological observations (live, stained, scanning, and transmission electron microscope) were combined with behavioral molecular data. On basis whole body observations, was recognized as kahli . Scanning microscopy have revealed number features such chalice‐like structures external...
Compatibility with endothelial cell attachment and growth appears to be an important requisite of vascular prosthetic materials, possibly influencing thrombosis, pseudointimal hyperplasia, accelerated atherosclerosis at the site blood-material interaction. Since deposition pyrolytic carbon (PC) on surfaces has been associated enhanced hemocompatibility, in present study we assessed whether a thin layer (0.5 microns) PC deposited onto materials such as knitted Teflon Dacron growth. Cultured...
Abstract Among the bacterial symbionts harbored by model organism Paramecium , many still lack a recent investigation that includes molecular characterization. The genus Lyticum consists of two species large-sized bacteria displaying numerous flagella, despite their inability to move inside hosts' cytoplasm. We present multidisciplinary redescription both species, using deposited type strains as well newly collected material. On basis 16S rRNA gene sequences, we assigned order Rickettsiales...
Abstract. We have found a Polynucleobacter bacterium in the cytoplasm of Euplotes harpa , species living brackish‐water habitat, with cirral pattern not corresponding to that freshwater known harbor this type bacteria. The symbiont has been three strains species, obtained by clonal cultures from ciliates collected different geographic regions. 16S rRNA gene sequence identifies it as member β‐proteobacterial genus . This shares high similarity value (98.4–98.5%) P. necessarius genus, and is...