A multidisciplinary approach to the study of Symbiosis in Marine ecosystems: from taxonomy to potential biotechnological applications

SymbioMar will be the second edition of the annual ‘CRIMAC International School’ and will be held from November 4th to 7th, 2025, at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn-Calabria Marine Centre (CRIMAC), located in Amendolara (CS). In alignment with the mission of the CRIMAC project— to serve as a hub for fostering exchanges between Italian and international marine research centers—this immersive event will focus on marine symbiosis: the complex interactions that shape the physiology, ecology, and evolution of marine organisms.

The international school adopts a multidisciplinary approach, covering diverse aspects of marine symbiosis, including taxonomy and evolution, biology, adaptation, climate change, ecological interactions and biotechnology. By examining these topics, the program provides a comprehensive understanding of the key factors influencing marine symbiotic relationships.

Designed to foster both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the SymbioMar International School will offer lectures from leading experts in the field, alongside hands-on training sessions. Students will be engaged in practical activities such as applying advanced microscopy techniques, laboratory methods for extraction and sequencing, and working with bioinformatics tools to analyze various aspects of symbiosis.

The primary goal of this school is to equip the next generation of researchers with a holistic understanding of symbiosis. Participants will gain valuable skills through a multidisciplinary approach, enhancing their ability to tackle current research challenges. Moreover, it provides a unique platform for networking, allowing new connections with some of the world’s foremost experts in marine symbiosis.

The program is open to graduate students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers with an interest not only in marine symbiosis but also in the modern techniques used to study it that can be applied in many other research fields.

The theoretical lessons are designed to provide participants with a strong foundation in the study of marine symbiosis, covering topics such as taxonomy, evolution, host-symbiont interactions, and ecological dynamics. Key lectures include:

• Understanding the evolution of symbiotic relationships across marine ecosystems.

• Exploring how symbiosis drives biodiversity and evolutionary processes in marine life.

• Investigating the role of symbiosis in ecosystem processes and their ecological significance in marine environments.

• Examining the impact of climate change on marine partnerships.

• Exploring the potential biotechnological applications.

These lessons offer participants a deep dive into the latest research, enriching their understanding of symbiosis from multiple scientific perspectives.

The practical lessons focus on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, with hands-on experience in the laboratory. Students will:

• Learn sediment sorting, microscopy analysis, and extraction of biological samples to study symbiotic relationships in marine organisms.

• Learn about different bioinformatics pipelines used to study microbiomes and taxonomy and evolution.

• Learn statistics for meta(prote)omics encompassing a brief intro to R, concepts, and coding.

Organizing Committee: Daniela Pica, Chiara Giommi, Christian Galasso, Roberto Firmamento, Rosario Balestrieri, Salvatore Urso, Enrica Terranova, Francesca De Domenico..